The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is searching for individuals to make a difference in their community by working on environmental issues as part of the Minnesota GreenCorps program. In Greater Minnesota or the Twin Cities metro area, members gain valuable experience working on climate and air pollution issues as well as other environmental challenges like reducing food waste and increasing recycling.
This AmeriCorps program, coordinated by the MPCA, will match 58 Minnesota GreenCorps members with host sites for the upcoming 2024-2025 program year, where they will address environmental needs, such as:
- Reducing greenhouse gases and other air pollutants.
- Reducing water runoff and improving water quality.
- Reducing solid waste and increasing recycling.
- Encouraging community members to take eco-friendly actions.
- Reducing disproportionate negative impacts of pollution on low-income residents, communities of color, and Indigenous people.
Members will serve at their host sites from mid-September 2024 through mid-August 2025 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, or equivalent experience, to be considered.
Apply now
Serve a community, address critical environmental issues, and develop green job skills as a Minnesota GreenCorps member. Statewide, 58 positions are available with non-profits, educational institutions and city, county, and tribal governments.
The deadline for applications this year has been extended to June 27.
Selected sites
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in northwest Minnesota will serve as a host site for the energy conservation and green transportation topic areas. This 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 La Crescent in southeast Minnesota will serve as a host for the first time with a project focusing on stormwater and forestry. This city’s inaugural Minnesota GreenCorps member will improve native plantings by removing invasive species from prairies and rain gardens, conducting a city-wide tree inventory and planting climate resilient trees, as well as providing outreach and education on stormwater best practices.
Member positions conducting similar stormwater and forestry focused initiatives will also be available with the cities of Duluth, Belle Plaine, and Eden Prairie as well as Clean River Partners, Minnesota Zoo, Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, Dakota County, and Vibrant & Safe Downtown.
Opportunities to increase awareness about waste reduction, reuse, and recycling can be found at Becker County in Detroit Lakes, Carver County in Chaska, and Rice County in Faribault. Other projects include improving waste diversion efforts at Macalester College and expanding food recovery programs with Open Cupboard Maplewood and Oakdale, St. Paul Public Schools, University of Minnesota-Crookston and West Central Initiative.
Opportunities in the community readiness and outreach 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. Other opportunities include designing and launching new initiatives for a whole-home-retrofit pilot project at the City of Edina and a school garden guide with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Since the start of the program in 2009, more than 575 Minnesota GreenCorps members have served more than 265 organizations, supporting communities across the state.
Review the full list of projects and learn more about Minnesota GreenCorps.
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