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As Sustainable Stillwater MN embarks on a new year, we pause to honor the incredible contributions of Wendy Gorski, who recently resigned from the board to focus on her exciting new nonprofit project, Bird City Gardens. Wendy served as a dedicated board member from July 2019 to December 2024, leaving behind a legacy of impactful work and a stronger organization. Her passion, vision, and tireless efforts have deeply influenced Sustainable Stillwater MN and the community it serves.
From the start of her tenure, Wendy demonstrated a knack for elevating how Sustainable Stillwater MN communicated with the world. She partnered with the communications team to refine the organization’s message, ensuring it reflected the clarity and energy of its mission. Her work included upgrading brochures, refreshing the website verbiage, and enhancing social media outreach. As a photographer, Wendy documented the organization's journey, building a library of images that will continue to tell the story of Sustainable Stillwater MN for years to come. She also supervised the creation of editorials for monthly placement in the Gazette, amplifying the organization’s presence in the local media.
Strengthening the Organization’s Foundation
Wendy played a pivotal role in shaping the internal structure of Sustainable Stillwater MN. Drawing on her experience as Vice President of the St. Croix Women’s Alliance (2016–2018), she helped craft bylaws that reflect the organization’s values and goals. She also worked to secure professional accounting practices, ensuring a stable financial foundation for future initiatives.
Advancing Sustainability in Transportation
In collaboration with Roger Tomten, Wendy advocated for significant transportation improvements in Stillwater. Her efforts contributed to the transformation of North Main Street, which now features narrower lanes and a radar speed sign to calm traffic and enhance safety—a tangible example of sustainability in action.
Building the Green Business Directory
Wendy’s collaborative spirit shone brightly in her work on the Greater Stillwater Area Green Business Directory. Co-founding the directory alongside Kelsey Depew, Wendy secured grants from philanthropic organizations and the county BizRecycling service to launch and sustain the initiative. Now celebrating its fifth anniversary, the directory stands as a testament to her commitment to fostering a greener local economy.
Cultivating Environmental Stewardship
Wendy’s contributions extended to numerous other projects, including tree-planting initiatives, fundraising efforts, and the Valley Eco Fair. Inspired by her own garden of native plants, Wendy’s passion for connecting people with nature has been a consistent thread throughout her work with Sustainable Stillwater MN.
A New Chapter: Bird City Gardens
As Wendy transitions to her new endeavor, Bird City Gardens, she continues to inspire action for a sustainable future. Her latest project, the Mulberry Ravine Bird Station, will serve as a demonstration garden to encourage students and homeowners to create bird- and pollinator-friendly spaces. This initiative aims to establish Stillwater as a sanctuary corridor for birds, butterflies, and bees—a vision that perfectly aligns with Wendy’s enduring commitment to environmental stewardship.
Wendy, your dedication and creativity have profoundly shaped Sustainable Stillwater MN and the community it serves. While we will miss your leadership on the board, we are thrilled to see you bring your vision to life with Bird City Gardens. Thank you for everything you’ve done to make Stillwater a more sustainable, vibrant, and connected place.
We can’t wait to see the incredible impact you’ll make in this next chapter!
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