A few years ago, Minnesota GreenCorps and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe collaborated to find opportunities for energy savings in the tribal community’s Cass Lake buildings. The MN GreenCorps member working on the project helped find, assess, and implement measures to reduce energy use that ranged from water heater and boiler replacements to lighting upgrades and occupancy sensors. Their updates to 22 buildings saved an estimated 2.7 million kWh a year in electrical energy and $276,000 a year in energy costs.
The collaboration was one of five times the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in Cass Lake hosted MN GreenCorps members since the program started in 2009. Members projects have focused on developing sustainable guidance, installing solar panels to generate electricity and electric vehicle chargers, promoting food sovereignty, and implementing their Guaranteed Energy Savings Program project.
According to host site supervisor Brandy Toft, Leech Lake’s goal when hosting MN GreenCorps members is to provide “diverse opportunities to explore, from researching and learning about sustainability, conservation of resources, and project management, to conducting field work and engaging with tribal members in practicing environmental stewardship.”
“Exposure to these opportunities help the MN GreenCorps member identify a career path and goals,” she adds.
One MN GreenCorps member to gain that diverse experience last year was Mazzini, who coordinated solar and electric vehicle projects, lead the tribe’s Green Team monthly meetings, conducted outreach, and tracked energy use. Anthony relocated from California to Cass Lake to serve in MN GreenCorps after college, excited to commit a year to AmeriCorps service.
“I think it’s important to explore new places and cultures, get to know different people, and gain perspective on the social and environmental issues we face,” he says.
After completing the program, Anthony was hired as an environmental outreach coordinator with Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
Starting in September 2022, the MN GreenCorps program plans to place full-time members with host site organizations around the state. Members will help host organizations build capacity and community resilience to a changing climate by reducing air pollutants, addressing disproportionate impacts of pollution, preventing waste, encouraging eco-friendly behavior, and more. In exchange, host organizations supervise members day-to-day and support them in their community-focused environmental projects.
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