The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is recruiting community-focused individuals interested in environmental and climate issues for its Minnesota GreenCorps program. From helping communities address air pollution and climate issues to reducing food waste, GreenCorps assignments offer valuable real-world experience at sites in Greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities metro area.
This AmeriCorps program, coordinated by the MPCA, will match 48 Minnesota GreenCorps members to host sites for the upcoming 2023-2024 program year, where they will address an environmental need, such as:
- reducing solid waste and increasing recycling in Minnesota communities.
- reducing greenhouse gases and other air pollutants.
- reducing water runoff and improving water quality.
- assisting community members to take eco-friendly actions.
- increasing community resilience and building local capacity to respond to the threats of climate change.
Members serve at their host sites for 11 months, from mid-September 2023 through mid-August 2024. They receive a living allowance to cover expenses during their service term and an education award that can be used to pay qualified student loans or future tuition payments. Applicants must have a minimum of two years of post-secondary education to be considered.
Selected sites
Among the sites selected is the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in northwest Minnesota. Serving in the Air Pollutant Reduction topic area, the member will implement sustainability goals focused on energy efficiency and renewable energies to further Leech Lake's profile as an energy conservation leader.
“We are proud to be a part of Minnesota GreenCorps, not only as a host site, but more importantly in our ability to help shape the future of Minnesota GreenCorps members and open their eyes to tribal environmental work,” said Brandy Toft, environmental deputy director for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. “This is paid back to Leech Lake in full with their work on impactful projects that benefit the tribe and its resources.”
The City of Fairmont in southwest Minnesota is a first-time host site in the Green Infrastructure Improvements topic area. This city’s inaugural Minnesota GreenCorps member will facilitate the equitable distribution of tree canopy by conducting a tree inventory, developing an Emerald Ash Borer management plan, quantifying the environmental benefits of trees, and planning tree plantings. Member positions conducting similar forestry focused initiatives are also available with the cities of Belle Plaine, Eden Prairie, Farmington, and Morris. Projects with Crow Wing Soil & Water Conservation District, Metro Blooms, and Minnesota Sea Grant support stormwater best management practices, shoreline protection, and stormwater research and education.
In the Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Organics Management topic area, projects based at Mower County in Austin, Olmsted County in Rochester, and Sherburne County in Elk River focus on increasing awareness and access to waste reduction and reuse programs. Other projects include improving waste diversion efforts at Bemidji State University and expanding food recovery programs with Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf, Carver County, Rice County, and Western Lake Superior Sanitary District.
Opportunities in the Community Readiness and Outreach topic area include expanding and implementing environmental education with Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in East Bethel and the Minnesota Department of Military Affairs in Little Falls and designing and launching new programs including a Home WaterWise Program in the City of Woodbury and a Future Lake Leaders program with the National Loon Center.
Since the start of the program in 2009, more than 530 Minnesota GreenCorps members have served more than 225 organizations, supporting communities across the state.
Review the full list of projects and learn more about Minnesota GreenCorps.