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
Currently there are 42 Minnesota GreenCorps members serving at host sites around the state.
Project summaries: Program Year 2019-2020 (p-mgc1-11)
Anne Wright
About me. I was grew up in rural North Dakota for most of my elementary school years, moving to south-central Minnesota when I was ten. A big part of my life was spent outdoors with my family. Whether it was hiking or hunting near town or travelling across the country visiting different natural places. Being outdoors all the time instilled in me a love of the environment. I went to study Environmental Studies at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, supplemented by a field biology class at the Au Sable Institute in Michigan.
About my service. I am serving with Winona county working on waste reduction, recycling, and organics management. My main job has been assisting the county on developing an organics recycling program. Right now we are working to see how feasible a regional program may be. I will also be working on running some waste reduction campaigns in the near future.
Why I serve. Having just recently graduated college I want to find a job that utilized my newly developed skills as well as sharing similar ideals to my own. The MN GreenCorps fit that description perfectly. Waste management was something that I worked on helping my college improve. I saw this position as a way that I could have an even greater impact as I can interact with people from all over the county.
My favorite place in Minnesota. I worked at a camp for seven years up near motely and I love visiting whenever I get the chance. It is a place where I am removed from the distractions of everyday life and am able to fully enjoy the forest and lake that surrounds me.
Minnesota GreenCorps is not currently accepting applications. The program typically accepts applications from individuals applying to serve as a member in May-June and typically accepts applications from sites applying to host a member in February-March.
Members serve with local governments, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions statewide. Members serve 40 hours a week for 11 months, from September through August.
Learn more about the program and sign up to receive email notifications about future opportunities.