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Stay updated with our SSMN Monthly Newsletter which focuses on our nonprofit, workgroup initiatives, upcoming events, and volunteer/fundraising opportunities. Also, subscribe to our Green Scene Newsletter which focuses on our Green Business Directory members.
2024 NEWSLETTERS
View our previous newsletters below.
NOV 2024
Monthly Update
Our gala's online auction is open Nov 1st - 7th to EVERYONE; Bird lovers flocked to learn tips for perfect backyards habitats; Pick us for the River Market’s next Round Up Recipients; Spontaneous volunteers keep our local rain gardens thriving; Election Day is November 5th; Give to the Max Day from November 1-21; Explore our Green Business Directory; Sustainability Works! 2024; Washington County Bird Hike
OCT 2024
Monthly Update
There are seven rules for safer trails that everyone should know; High school volunteers make a big impact on local raingardens; Food scraps pickup program expanding to Stillwater on Oct 1st; Bird Fest 2024 recap: a day of feathers, fun, and hail; Colleen Redmond our keynote speaker at Sustainability Works! 2024; Shop our Green Business Directory today; Be Bird Friendly: Land Stewardship for Bird Conservation; Washington County 4-H Open House; Washington County Bird Hike; Healthy Textiles Summit; Project 2025: Exposing its Terrifying Vision for our Environment; Sustainability Works! 2024; NEED Gala Volunteers
SEPT 2024
Monthly Update
Celebrate nature while learning how to protect birds and their habitats!; Help Stillwater reach its energy goals. Join our Energy Action Team; Volunteers gather to maintain a bird-friendly garden at Browns Creek Park; New education signs placed at demostration rain garden at 510 Owens St S; Don’t miss our 3rd annual fundraiser - Sustainability Works!; HealthPartners Clinic Stillwater Farmer’s Market; FIX-IT CLINIC - Washington County; Community Event/Bird Fest 2024; Plant A Seed - Sept 2024; Volunteer Opportunities at SSMN's Gala!; Bonus podcast
AUG 2024
Monthly Update
We’ve been awarded $2,500 from the Environmental Grant Program; We’re making strides across all our work areas and groups; Exciting new community/citizen science project: bird listening devices; We’ve reached the halfway mark on the Solar For Cimarron project; Our annual fundraiser is coming up fast!; July 30 Plant a Seed meeting; Night To Unite; 4th Annual Bridge the Valley - Bike Rally 2024; Trail Safety Event; Plant A Seed - Sept 2024; Community Event/Bird Fest 2024; Sustainability Works! 2024; Become a site member to be notified when new blog posts come out
JUL 2024
Monthly Update
Our Sustainability Works! 2024 fundraiser theme is Eco-Hope & Youth; We signed on to support the 100% Carbon-Free Law; Scout Troop 132 joins us to tackle the persistent garlic mustard population; Bird City Stillwater requesting volunteer help at Browns Creek Park; Your voice is needed for a safer Olive Street - comment before July 23rd; We’re cleaning up our subscriber list - update your preferences; Plant A Seed - July 2024; 4th Annual Bridge the Valley - Bike Rally 2024; Trail Safety Event; Community Event/Bird Fest 2024; Sustainability Works! 2024
JUN 2024
Monthly Update
Hudson Pride Festival Participation; Grant Success and Future Opportunities; Sustainability Works! 2024; Update Your Subscription Preferences; Workgroup Updates; Solar for Cimarron: Dinner and Informational Session; Plant A Seed - July 2024; 4th Annual Bridge the Valley - Bike Rally 2024; Sustainability Works! 2024
MAY 2024
Monthly Update
Volunteers NEEDED for Dine Here Event; Valley Eco Fair Success!; Green businesses need your posted reviews; SSMN’s Land Acknowledgment Statement; Clean Air Lawn Care; Trails - Rules and Etiquette; Bird Habitat Planting Party; Green Funeral Expo; Dine Here - SSMN Volunteer; Valley Wide Pride Fest; Bridge the Valley - Bike Rally; Sustainability WORKS! 2024
APR 2024
Monthly Update
Big Victory for Sustainable Stillwater MN!; Solar For Cimarron Grant Success; Support Our Spring 2024 Fundraiser; Valley Eco Fair THIS Saturday! Say "I saw you in the Green Business Directory!" Get 10% off!; City-Wide Bike Donation Event; Valley Eco Fair; What's That Plant? Event; Spring Migration Bird Hike; Stillwater Raingarden Clean-Up; Washington County Bird Hike; Bike To School Day; SPD Youth Bike Safety Rodeo; Long Lake Bird Habitat Planting Party
MAR 2024
Monthly Update
Our Newest Team Member: Meet Jean Thompson!; Save the Date: Valley Eco Fair; Bird City Stillwater Awarded Habitat Grant for Upcoming Volunteer Event; NEW: Stillwater Area Bird Guide; Discover over 150+ businesses certified with national sustainability standards; Washington County Bird Hike; City-Wide Bike Donation Event; Spring Migration Bird Hike; Stillwater Raingarden Clean-Up; What's That Plant? Event; Sustainability WORKS! 2024; Join the Movement: Shape Your City's Future!
FEB 2024
Monthly Update
Upcoming Valley ECO Fair!; New DEI Initiative; DaVinci Fest Highlights & Future Opportunities!; Bird City Stillwater Workgroup Volunteers Needed, GreenStillwater.org Reaches New Milestone: 150 Businesses!; Minnesota Solar: Saving Green by Going Green; Bird Banding at Carpenter Nature Center; Washington County Bird Hike; Sustainability WORKS! 2024
JAN 2024
Monthly Update
Reflections and Looking Ahead; Welcome, Annie Lehman, Social Media Manager; Volunteer workgroups share 2024 goals; Become An Event Volunteer; Electronics Recycling: An Enormous Opportunity in MN; Stillwater Da Vinci Fest; Washington County Bird Hike; Great Backyard Bird Count; Everything You Need to Know About Food Waste Reduction and Recycling; Sustainability WORKS! 2024
2023 NEWSLETTERS
View our previous newsletters below.
DEC 2023
Monthly Update
Wrapping up 2023 with more opportunities than ever; What did we do in 2023? 🌍 And what's our plan for next year?; Revitalized Rain Gardens; 'Tis The Season of Giving; Sustainable Stillwater MN's Two-Day Exclusive w/ TruEarth; This community belongs to you, and your voice matters
NOV 2023
Monthly Update
Missed the Fundraiser? Support SSMN through Give to the Max Day - Thursday, November 16th!; Celebrating a Successful Second Annual Sustainable Works! Gala; Keynote Rolf Nordstrom Emphasizes Energy Changes; Sustainability Champion Award Winners Announced!; Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: Striving for a Better Future; Upcoming Happenings: Green Business Happy Hour; Eco-Gift Galore with Tru Earth's Festive Fundraiser Frenzy!; Did You Know? View Green Business Directory
OCT 2023
Monthly Update
Pedal Forward with Stillwater's New Downtown Sign Upgrades; Scout Troop 162 Revitalizes Stillwater Rain Garden; Reclaiming Lily Lake Woods: A Community's Battle Against Invasive Buckthorn; SSMN Connects With Crowds at Harvest Fest; Last Week to Buy Tickets for Sustainability Works!; Dec 12: Green Business Happy Hour; Last Month Alert: Lights Out Through October!; Shop, Support, and Sustain: A Greener Tomorrow with Sustainable Stillwater MN & Eco-Collective
SEPT 2023
Monthly Update
Bird City Stillwater's Successful Community Bird Fest!; Empowering Cimarron: Energizing Sustainable Living in Lake Elmo; Save Lily Lake Woods: Volunteers Needed!; Lights out through October; Join us for Sustainability Works! – our signature Gala and Awards event; Green Business Member Happy Hour;
AUG 2023
Monthly Update
Stillwater's Energy Shift: Bright Ideas for a Greener Tomorrow; Pedals, Parks, and Parties: Stillwater's August Bike Bonanza!; Feathers & Fun: A Nature Day at Browns Creek!; Dim & Save: Lights Out for a Brighter Tomorrow; Sustainable Stillwater MN's Gala 2023: Celebrate Clean Energy & Make a Difference!; TruEarth fundraiser for SSMN through September 4
JUL 2023
Monthly Update
Welcome new board member Clayton Dumcum; Stillwater Trails - Rules and Etiquette; We're looking for Sponsors & Silent Auction Items; Monthly Board of Director Meetings Now In-Person; Thank you Scout Troop 612 for your Rain Garden Maintenance; What's That Plant? Event; Registration open: Bridge the Valley – Bike Rally is August 13; Community Celebration & Bird Festival; Sustainability Works!; From Aug 1st to Sept 4th, TruEarth will be having a Back to School Sale!
JUN 2023
Monthly Update
Welcome new board member Buff Grace; Sponsors and Silent Auction items needed for SSMN's Second fundraiser, Sustainability Works!; Your help needed: assist with Community Celebration and Bird Festival; Advancing speed limit changes with City Council; From July 3rd to the 13th, TruEarth will be having a Plastic Free Sale! Embrace everyday eco – AND support SSMN!; THANKS to the Fred C and Katherine B Andersen Foundation
MAY 2023
Monthly Update
Mayor declares May “Bike Month”; SSMN’s FIRST Climate Fair a success!; Welcome, Ami Voeltz, our new Program Administrator; Lights out, Stillwater!; Sit back, relax, and enjoy no mow May!; “What’s that plant?” continues into June; National Enviro. Day Trash Dash; Bridge the Valley Bike Rally is August 13!; Sustainability Works, Thursday, Nov 2nd | 5:30 - 8:30 PM; Good REads; Your Community, Your Say; Show your support, help sustain our efforts; Embrace everyday eco – AND support SSMN!
APR 2023
Monthly Update
Climate Fair April 29 in Stillwater; Bike Donation Event a Huge Success!; May Events To Connect Kids With Bikes; Stillwater Schools to Get Solar Panels, Related Curriculum; Bird City News; Rotary Presentation; Lights Out for Birds; Have You Tried Plastic-Free Laundry Strips?; Keep That Lawnmower in the Garage; Trash Dash at Lily Lake Saturday April 22; Newest Green Businesses
MAR 2023
Monthly Update
City Council Votes "Yes" on Climate Action Proposal; Climate Fair is April 29th; Lights Out, Stillwater; Kick Plastic, Support SSMN; Earth Day Trash Dash at Lily Lake Park; What's that Plant? Begins May 1; Congratulations Smith+Trade Mercantile; River Market Honored; Calling All Bird Lovers
JAN 2023
Monthly Update
Advancing EV Supper in Stillwater; Save Green $$ IRA Tax Credits & Rebates; Welcome Our New Chair Rick; Enjoy an unforgettable Winter Outing; Braiding Sweetgrass Author to Give Free Online Talk; Be A Part of the Solution; Green Businesses Wanted; Stay Tuned: Spring Rally in the Works!
2019 - 2022 NEWSLETTERS
View our previous newsletters below.
DEC 2022
Monthly Update
Stillwater Area High School Students; It's Easy Shopping Green and Local; 2023 Will Have More Opportunities for volunteering Than Ever Before; Maximize Your Impact, Join the Board; Green Business Team Help Wanted; Friends of SSMN Protecting the Environment a Priority for Rotary Too; It's Your Community, Your Say
NOV 2022
Monthly Update
A November to Remember!; Comaraderie, Community, and Celebration!; Champions of Sustainability; Cause to Pause - Give to the Max Day Brings in Additional Funding; Volunteer Recognition Event; We're Branching Out Tree Huggers Launching 2023; Green Business Gift Giving Guide; It's Your Community, Your Say
OCT - DEC 2022
Quarter 4 Update
Karla Hult to Emcee Gala Fundraiser; Bid on an E-Bike at the Live Auction; Nominations Closing Soon; Volunteers Restore Lily Lake Habitat; Lights Out Stillwater; Climate Action Plan Progress; Matt Dynan Memorial Bench
JULY - SEPT 2022
Quarter 3 Update
Climate Action Plan - Tick, Tick, Tick; 100th Company Profiled; Fun New Commercials!; One Hot Parade; Presentation at Stillwater Library by Linda Countryman: Climate Change in Minnesota; Bird Walk August 27; Teamwork to Restore Lily Lake; Migratory Bird Grant for Lily Lake; Bluebird Recovery Program; Ruth's Rain Gardens; Mark Schwantes Takes Over Butt Patrol; Bike To School Day; Bridge The Valley Bike Rally August 14; Sustainability Spotlight: Eric Siskow; Sustainability Works Fall Fundraiser Save The Date
APRIL-JUNE 2022
Quarter 2 Update
Climate Action Plan Update for the City of Stillwater, Green Business Is Good Business, Happy Birthday to Us, Lights Out Stillwater, Service Award Presented to Sustainable Stillwater MN, We're Hiring, Coming Events, SSMN & Green Business Directory Podcasts with Get Out and Try, Recent Articles WRitten by SSMN for the Stillwater Gazette, SSMN's Bird City Team Helps HealthPartners Set Up Bluebird Houses, Tropical Wings Grant for Lily Lake Birds, Our Goals for this Decade
JANUARY - MARCH 2022
Quarter 1 Update
GreenStep Team Welcomes Tim Gladhill, Stillwater Looks Favorably on a Climate Action Plan for the Next City Budget, We Become Minnesota's 33rd Bike-Friendly Town, The State Recognizes SSMn's Green Business Directory to Guide Other Cities, Get Yours This Month! New Citizen's Sustainability Workbook Mailed to Donors, Hey! Wanna Serve on Our Board, Volunteers Thanked for Environmental Work, Earthfest 2022, Thank You Graham Tait!
OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2021
Quarter 4 Update
Stillwater's Green Business Directory Now Has 50+ Members, Join Our Board, Leading Our Community Coffee Talk, Bike Friendly community Racks Up Another Victory, First Bridge the Valley Bike Rally Was Phenomenal Success, GreenStep Cities Team to Focus on Climate Action Plan for Stillwater, How Did Our Legislators Vote On Climate, Stencilers Needed, Rain Garden Update, Businesses, Schools, Nonprofits: $50K Grants - Apply Before November 1, Volunteers/Board Members Honored at Dessert Picnic, Volunteer and Paid Opportunities with SSMN
JULY-SEPTEMBER 2021
Quarter 3 Update
Remembering Matt, Visit Our Booth At Summer Tuesdays, Stillwater City Council Endorses Green Business Directory, Ride on! First Annual Bike Rally, Stillwater Commits to Becoming a Bike-Friendly Community, Another Feather in Our Cap - Stillwater Honored as Audubon Bird City, May 5 Bird Habitat Planting, Houses for Bluebirds, Clean Cars a Go in Minnesota, SSMN Purchases Flags for
Dangerous Crosswalk, What's That Plant? is back
APRIL-JUNE 2021
Quarter 2 Update
We Share Your Values, Stillwater Area Green Business Directory Online, Stillwater Migratory Bird Festival May 15, 2021, 9am-1pm at Pioneer Park, Progress with Carbon-Free, Safer Transportation: Bikes, Bridge the Valley Bike Rally, SSMN Pushing City To Upgrade Solar, Thwarting Urban Sprawl in Stillwater with ADUs, Join an Earth Day Cleanup Crew on April 22, Clean Cars Decision Due May 7-ish, Waterway Protection Underway, What's That Plant Event, Garlic Mustard Pull, & One-Day Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
JAN-MAR 2021
Quarter 1 Update
Lining Up Our Ducks for 2021, Final Designs for Stonebridge Trail Renovation Posted - Take Your Pick, Stillwater Should Adopt a Complete Streets Policy Now, Complete Streets Resolution, Why is GreenSteps Such a Big Deal, Lily Lake Buckthorn Bust at Lily Lake Park, Bike Agenda Moves Forward for 2021, & GBD Award Winner - Congratulations River Market Co-op
OCT-DEC 2020
Quarter 4 Update
Green Business Directory Soft Launch, Citizen Bike Advocacy Efforts -
City Now Working with Us, SSMN GreenStep Progress Report, Game On for BizRecycling, Don’t Miss These Online Events, Bird City Festival Rescheduled to May 15, 2021, Cigarette Disposal Containers Still Available, Invasive Plants and Lily Lake, Lily Lake Rain Garden Clean-Up, Subscribe to The Gazette, & Give to the Max Day
JULY-SEPT 2020
Quarter 3 Update
A Big Thanks, be a Climate Voter-Vote Earth, Public Comment on Stonebridge Trail Renovation Ends in 3 Days, Working for a Bike-Friendlier Community, The Coming New Center Square of Stillwater, Bird City Celebration Back On for October 10, Why Are Biodiversity, Climate Change and Human Health Interdependent, He Speaks for the Trees, Cigarette Butt Superhero, What Was That Plant Event, Rain Garden Volunteers, Thank you to new rain garden volunteer Matt Valek, Volunteer Appreciation Corner, & Read Our Editorials in The Gazette
APRIL 2020
Monthly Update
We Are All in it Together What Pandemic Teaches Us, SSMN has had to cancel the majority of our events, Rain Gardening Time, Greater Stillwater Area Green Business Directory and Awards project is underway, Looking For things To Do Outside, Everyone is Now Urged to Wear Masks, Listen To This Song From Dr. Elvic Francois, & Have You Seen Our New T-Shirts
MARCH 2020
Monthly Update
WashCo's BizRecycling Provides Funding for Green Business Directory & Awards, Exhibitors Named for Stillwater EV Car Show April 22 - Earth Day, Volunteers Needed for May 6 Bike to School Day in Stillwater, Help Us Plant an Oak Savanna for Arbor Day, The Time is Now for Your Input on Stillwater's Newest Park, Adopt-A-Drain Near Your Home This Spring, Bike To School - Meeting March 19, & "Living Green at Home" Lecture Tuesday, March 24
FEBRUARY 2020
Monthly Update
Bird is Definitely the Word Stillwater Now an Audubon Bird City, Join Us to Plant Trees on Arbor Day Weekend, EV Car and Carbon-Free Transportation Fair, Did you see 16-year-old Mia Vaughan's editorial in The Gazette, Sustainability Spotlight: First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater, & 2020 T-Shirt Contest Winners
JANUARY 2020
Monthly Update
There is no time left for debate, Welcome to New Board Member Joanna Esther Schneider, Stillwater Area Green Business Directory & Awards Planned, Sustainable Stillwater MN Sponsors Drive Electric Earth Day - April 22, 2020, Bird City Expected to Be On Feb 4 City Council Agenda, & GreenSteps Team Working Closely with City on Many Green Initiatives
DECEMBER 2019
Monthly Update
Transportation Survey Results: Downtown Needs Work, Congratulations to Our New Chair, Bird City Planning Gets Underway Despite City Delay, Will Steger Urges Churches to Lead on Climate, Rep. Shelly Christensen Will Try Again to Pass Landmark Climate Legislation in 2020, GreenStep New Street Sign is Up, Stillwater Agrees to Create Bumblebee Corridor, EV Show, & Green Business Push
NOVEMBER 2019
Monthly Update
SSMN Achieves Main Street Road Diet, Solar Gardens Light Lily Lake Ice Arena and St. Croix Valley Rec Center, SSMN Seeks "Bird City" Certification, Making Stillwater a Better Greenstep City Now SSMN's Focus, SSMN Working for Curbside Composting, SSMN Asks City for Yard Pollinator Grants, Replace Gas-Guzzling Snowblowers/Mowers With Electric - For Free, Environmental Issue-Based Town Hall, & The State of the Climate: Nov. 13
SEPTEMBER 2019
Monthly Update
Washington County Seeks People Who Bike, Lakeview Hospital is Greener Than You Think, 30 Storm Drains Stenciled by Our Intrepid Storm Drain Troopers, Get Your Butts in Here, We Love Warner Nature Center, STRIKE WITH US IN HUDSON, Will Steger Earth's Changing Climate Event, & We are now in the Twitterverse
AUGUST 2019
Monthly Update
Lumberjack Days Parade, GreenStep Plans 2020 Projects, Weigh in on Stillwater's Transportation Future, Single-Use Plastic Bans Banned, Cigarette Butt and Storm Drain Crusade, & Stillwater's Energy Future
MAY 2019
Monthly Update
Stillwater is a GreenStep City, Raingarden Maintenance, Bike To School, Plastic Pollution, Earth Day 2019, & Change Your Lawn and Help Our Pollinators