Serving communities for a greener tomorrow
The Minnesota GreenCorps program, coordinated by the MPCA, aims to preserve and protect Minnesota’s environment while training a new generation of environmental professionals.
Each year, the program places members with host site organizations around the state to build community resilience by:
- reducing solid waste and increasing recycling
- reducing greenhouse gases and other air pollutants
- reducing water runoff and improving water quality
- encouraging eco-friendly behavior
- reducing disproportionate negative impacts from pollution
Minnesota GreenCorps members serve full-time at their host site for 11 months, from mid-September through mid-August. Members implement environmental projects in one of four topic areas: community readiness and outreach, energy conservation and green transportation, stormwater and forestry, waste reduction and recycling. Sample projects include activities such as coordinating multi-modal transportation events, developing climate action plans, educating community members and youth, removing invasive species, installing rain gardens, benchmarking energy, conducting waste sorts, and more.
Minnesota GreenCorps members
Serve a community, address critical environmental issues, and develop green job skills as a Minnesota GreenCorps member! Members receive training from the MPCA, develop green job skills, gain professional experience, network with environmental professionals, and are paired with a mentor who provides ongoing guidance. Members may be eligible to earn a living allowance, health insurance, mental health services with counseling, student loan forbearance on eligible loans, and an education award for education expenses or qualified student loans.
The MPCA is not currently accepting member applications. We anticipate accepting applications from May through mid-June each year, with the program starting in mid-September. Sign up to be notified about unfilled positions and when the next application period opens.
Host sites
As a host site, your organization can harness a member's energy and enthusiasm to move your environmental projects forward. Member projects must align with one of four topic areas: community readiness and outreach, energy conservation and green transportation, stormwater and forestry, or waste reduction and recycling. Host sites don't pay a fee to participate in the program but are expected to provide supervision, office space, internet and phone service, training, and any resources necessary for members to accomplish their projects. The MPCA manages the recruitment, application, and selection process for Minnesota GreenCorps members.
The MPCA is not currently accepting host site applications. We anticipate accepting applications from February through mid-March each year, with the program starting in mid-September. Sign up to be notified when the next application period opens.
Spotlights
See what MN GreenCorps service looks like in action.
Program impact
Members address critical environmental issues through projects such as retrofitting public buildings to save energy, improving public lands, educating community members, preventing waste, and recycling or composting. In addition, Minnesota GreenCorps members engage volunteers in hands-on projects to help communities build their capacity for environmental stewardship.
Follow us!
Follow Minnesota GreenCorps on social media to get updates on the program. See members in action and learn more about the impacts the program has on communities throughout Minnesota.