Green Step City: Bemidji

What is MN GreenStep Cities?

MN GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life goals. It is a continuous improvement program that is free and managed by a public-private partnership.

History of MN GreenStep Cities in Bemidji

In October of 2011 Brett Cease, a member of the MN GreenCorps begins his service term under the guidance of Erika Bailey-Johnson the Sustainability Director at Bemidji State University (BSU). During his term, the Sustainability Committee presents the MN GreenStep Cities program to the City Council.

Feb. 6, 2012 Resolution No. 5647 was passed authorizing the city of Bemidji to participate in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program and is awarded first step designation.

August 2012 Caitlyn Schuchhardt, BSU’s second MN GreenCorps member begins her service term in the Sustainability Office with Erika Bailey-Johnson and is tasked to continue the MN GreenStep Cities efforts of the Sustainability Committee of the previous year. The Bemidji community adopts a number of the 28 best practices and strides toward second step designation.

June 6, 2013 Bemidji was awarded second step designation, work begins to determine how to throw the first-ever GreenStep Cities Celebration.

December 16, 2013 Erika Bailey-Johnson, BSU’s Sustainability Coordinator, and Sara Dennison, BSU’s third GreenCorps member, give a report on MN GreenStep Cities to the City Council. At this meeting, the City Council asked Sustainability Committee to present progress on a quarterly basis.

June, 2015 Bemidji was awarded third step designation from GreenStep Cities.