Regional View

Jackson Meadow in Marine on St. Croix - Building a Sustainable Community
The Jackson Meadow housing development in Marine on St. Croix is an excellent example of how new housing developments can successfully incorporate community visioning and principles of sustainability. more info
Pedestrian Crosswalk Case Studies: Richmond, VA; Buffalo, NY; Stillwater, MN
A before and after evaluation of crosswalk markings was conducted in 3 cities in the US. Pedestrian and motorist behavior was observed. more info
Phillips Eco-Enterprise Center
(PEEC) is one of the nation's first comprehensive green office and manufacturing facilities, opened in 1999. This Minneapolis project's developer is the Green Institute, a nonprofit committed to urban development through sustainable enterprise. more info
The power of one: What caring can accomplish
One woman's love for her place leveraged a neighborhood to improve a park, strengthen community bonds, build skills and deepen roots. more info
Wheeling Township and Nerstrand -- Landmark of the Past Symbol of the Future
A group of local residents mobilized to purchase and preserve a plot of land near a state forest. By mobilizing citizens and other interested parties, the group purchased the land and restored part of it to its natural state of prairie and oak savannah. The 110-acre plot will be preserved as open space for future generations to enjoy due to the efforts of these citizens. more info

Resource Directory

Are We There Yet? Creating Complete Communities for 21st Century America
In October 2012, Reconnecting America released "Are We There Yet? Creating Complete Communities for 21st Century America", a report that tracks progress in America’s regions toward a vision of complete communities.... more info
Chinook Book: Local Coupons + Ideas for Living Well in the Twin Cities
Blue Sky Guide is a one-of-a-kind resource - a coupon book, directory and a source of ideas and inspiration. It's your annual EcoMetro guide to living well and having fun in the Twin Cities metro region. Save hundreds of dollars while exploring the community and supporting local, sustainable businesses.... more info
Cities for Climate Protection in Minnesota
Duluth, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Hennepin and Ramsey Counties are members of the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) campaign.... more info
Do It Green! Minnesota - annual 2009 Do It Green! Magazine now available
Do It Green! Minnesota works to educate Minnesotans about green and sustainable living and to promote building healthy, local communities through an annual printed guidebook, comprehensive web site, and community workshops.... more info
Eco-Team Models for Sustainable Living
Using social models from the world of support groups come five programs for helping groups of people increase the chances of acting on their environmental interest and learning.... more info
Ecological Assistance from the DNR
The MN DNR has ecologists who can assist with comprehensive planning, the development of zoning and subdivision ordinances, parks and open space planning, and protection and stewardship of public and private lands.... more info
Gardening, Urban Gardening, Parks & Agriculture & Forestry, and Open Space Resource Groups
This is a listing of state-wide and Twin Cities community gardening, urban agriculture and forestry, and open space organizations.... more info
Greywater Reuse Systems
Water from showers, sinks and washing machines can be reclaimed for reuse - where potable water isn't necessary - in irrigating landscapes and in supplying water for toilets. ... more info
Increased economic growth, diversity forecasted for Twin Cities region by 2040
Increased racial diversity, a rise in the senior population, and continued economic growth are anticipated for the Twin Cities among other trends forcasted by the Metropolitan Council.... more info
Metropolitan Design Center
Research, education and assistance in the areas of urban design, landscape architecture, planning, and GIS is available for cities, civic groups and nonprofit organizations statewide.... more info
Minnesota Bicycle Transportation Planning, Maps and Design Guidelines
These guidelines provide information regarding design factors and maintenance of bikeways, the bicycle network planning process, on-road designs, paths, bridges and grade separations, traffic controls, and bike parking.... more info
Minnesota Sustainable Building Guidelines: Buildings, Benchmarks and Beyond (B3)
This web site serves as an online green design guide and rating system to educate and inform the design process on new and renovated buildings.... more info
MSP Housing + Transportation Cost Calculator
The Urban Land Institute Minnesota recently launched an online, customizable tool to help individuals, households, planners, and municipalities in the Twin Cities area understand the true costs of housing and transportation, as well as how these costs can vary from place to place.... more info
North House Folk School
A beautiful Grand Marais setting for learning traditional folk arts and crafts that augments a person's pursuit of a more sustainable way of living.... more info
On-Demand Ridesharing
The St. Paul Transportation Management Organization brought the nation's first incentive-based ride network, a national web-based organization called NuRide, to the seven-county Twin Cities metro area. Also read about iPhone ridesharing software.... more info
Smart Growth and Economic Success
Smart Growth and Economic Success is the first in a series of reports from EPA’s Smart Growth Program designed to inform developers, businesses, local government, and other groups about the benefits of smart growth development. ... more info
Stormwater Best Management Practices
Four manuals written for Minnesota aimed at improving land use and the local ecology, and cutting costs and pollution.... more info
Sustainability Indicators in Minnesota and Beyond
Detail on Minneapolis's indicators and other resources. ... more info
Transit-Oriented Development Guidebook
Provides implementation details specific to Minnesota for creating vibrant land use patterns supportive of transit ridership, walking, pedestrian activity and the needs of daily life.... more info
Transportation Demand Management and Commuter Options in the Twin Cities
This guidebook documents travel demand management (TDM) best practices in the Twin Cities and around the country, and proposes effective strategies.... more info
Twin Cities Free Market
The Free Market is a listing service for Twin Cities residents who want to get or give free reusable goods for the home, garage and garden. It is part of an effort to reduce the amount of reusable goods being thrown away.... more info