Apply now for 44 full-time member positions through MN GreenCorps. Members serve with local governments, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions statewide. Positions run 11 months (Sept. 2020–Aug. 2021), addressing critical environmental issues and providing green job skills.
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Minnesota GreenCorps Host Site Project Summaries: 2020-2021 (p-mgc1-12)
Currently there are 42 Minnesota GreenCorps members serving at host sites around the state.
Project summaries: Program Year 2019-2020 (p-mgc1-11)
Aili Kultala
About me. I was born and raised in Minnesota except for a short 6 years in Wisconsin. I graduated from Bemidji State University with a B.S in Environmental Studies and double minors in Sustainability and Project Management. During my time at BSU, I was part of the passionate team of students at the Bemidji State Sustainability Office. I was also fortunate enough to study in Finland which started my interest in traveling abroad, experiencing different cultures, and making new friends. Throughout my travels, I observe how infrastructure like transportation and waste management differ greatly around the world; which has shaped my perspective on our environmental issues and the creative solutions needed. In my free time, I enjoy building and creating whether it is mending my jeans, carving canoe paddles, or cooking a delicious meal.
About my service. I am a Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Organics Management member serving Beltrami County. One of my projects focuses on the county’s new organics drop-off pilot program. To help promote the compost program I organize events, create marketing and education materials, and engage with schools, businesses, and community members. I also work on raising awareness about the ability to recycle agricultural and boat wrap plastics with farmers and marinas in the area. Another component of my service is reducing contamination in recycling and educating the public on correct recycling practices.
Why I serve. MN GreenCorps provides the opportunity to work in the community where I hope to influence and instill values of environmental stewardship.
My favorite place in Minnesota. Three Island Park has fantastic trails for skiing and fat-tire biking during the winter and year-round hiking.
The Minnesota GreenCorps program is a statewide initiative, coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, to preserve and protect Minnesota’s environment while training a new generation of environmental professionals.
The program places AmeriCorps members with host organizations around the state to assist communities and local governments in addressing a variety of statewide needs, aiming to:
- Reduce solid waste and increase recycling in Minnesota communities.
- Reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and other air pollutants.
- Reduce water runoff and improve water quality.
- Assist community members to take eco-friendly actions.
- Increase community resilience and build local capacity to respond to the threats of climate change.
- Train new environmental professionals.
Members serve at their host sites for 11 months, from mid-September through mid-August. More than 350 GreenCorps members have served at over 200 organizations across Minnesota. Former and current host site organizations include cities, counties, public schools, universities, watershed districts, and non-profit organizations.
Since the program’s launch in 2009, Minnesota GreenCorps members have engaged and educated nearly 200,000 volunteers in communities around the state through service projects, including assistance with environmental fairs, multi-modal transportation events, energy benchmarking, waste sorts, tree inventory/citizen foresters, invasive species removal, tree planting, and building rain gardens. Many of these projects help to increase resilience of Minnesota communities to the impacts of climate change, such as increasing heat and heavy precipitation.
Minnesota GreenCorps is an AmeriCorps program. Funding is provided by ServeMinnesota, the Corporation for National Community Service, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. In-kind resources are also provided by participating host site organizations.
For more information
For more information, please email: mngreencorps.pca@state.mn.us