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West Central Initiative and Bemidji State University among sites selected for GreenCorps in northwest Minnesota

MPCA seeks individuals to work at 44 sites to address environmental issues

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is now accepting applications from community-focused individuals who’d like to become Minnesota GreenCorps members. Applicants can serve at one of 44 selected sites, including West Central Initiative and Bemidji State University.

The program — part of AmeriCorps and coordinated by the MPCA — matches MN GreenCorps members with host sites around the state (cities, counties, public schools, universities, watershed districts, nonprofit organizations, and more) to address environmental issues and community resilience, and train a new generation of environmental professionals.

Opportunities in northwest Minnesota include:

• West Central Initiative (Fergus Falls) – assist with “Safe Routes to School” planning and implementation, and increase walking and biking.

• Bemidji State University (Bemidji) – assist with the University’s Climate Action Plan, help expand organics recycling, and reduce waste.

To see opportunities throughout Minnesota, review the full list of projects.

MN GreenCorps members not only advance environmental initiatives but also gain valuable work experience. They can tell future employers that they helped Minneapolis Public Schools reduce food waste. Or tackled the emerald ash borer problem in Marshall. Or helped the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe better conserve energy.

MN GreenCorps members serve at their host sites for 11 months, from mid-September through mid-August, assisting communities and local governments in addressing a variety of needs:

• 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

The 2020-21 program year will continue operations as planned, with program modifications to ensure adherence to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines set by federal and state officials.

Praise from a previous host site

“Being a GreenCorps host site has been a truly amazing experience for BikeMN. I honestly cannot say enough good things about this program and the mutual benefits it has had for our organization and partners as well as for the phenomenal young professionals that we have been so fortunate to have serve us.”

—Nick Mason, Deputy Director of BikeMN and host site supervisor

Learn more on MPCA’s GreenCorps webpage, including the list of 2020-2021 host sites and their project summaries. Apply to become a member on the Member application page by June 15.

 

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