Forget ghosts and goblins—the real monsters are overconsumption, overflowing landfills, and climate change. This Halloween season, use simple ways to reduce waste and keep the scariest habits from haunting us all year long.

Stillwater is beginning the visioning process for its 2050 Comprehensive Plan, and what residents share now can help shape the city’s future. Take the survey, add your ideas to the interactive map, and help make sustainability part of the conversation about where Stillwater is headed.

Learn simple ways to waste less food, save money, and make the most of what you already have at home. Join the free Save Food, Spend Less Challenge this October and tune in to the October 5 virtual presentation for practical tips you can put into action right away.

Still basking in the glow of Valley Climate Action Week, we’re looking back at the City of Stillwater’s VCAW proclamation and a meaningful tree planting at City Hall. 🌳 The tree serves as a reminder that the choices we make today can help shape a healthier, more sustainable future for generations to come.

EcoQuest Game Night brought 11 community members together to explore environmental challenges, biodiversity, and healthy ecosystems through games like Radioactive Bees, Ecosystem, and Oil Spill.

Your Voice, Your Valley brought 14 community members together for a fun, nonpartisan civic engagement and voter education happy hour during Valley Climate Action Week. With trivia, conversation, food, and a welcoming space at Lift Bridge Coworking, participants learned together and helped create a workshop format SSMN can build on in the future.

Rainy weather didn’t stop 35 people from gathering at the Stillwater Public Library to hear Dr. Jon Foley share an optimistic look at climate change, solutions, and what’s possible. With a lively Q&A and plenty of thoughtful conversation, We Can Do It left attendees feeling informed, empowered, and hopeful.

The Community Watershed & Bird Festival brought families, volunteers, and partner organizations together at Browns Creek Park to celebrate birds, water, and the natural world. Despite rainy weather, the festival drew a strong crowd, sparked conversations about bird conservation and glass collisions, and continued to grow a network of organizations working together for a healthier St. Croix Valley.

Sustainable Stillwater MN welcomed 150+ community members to Loft 214 for the Celebration of Science & Sustainability, an inspiring evening featuring Minnesota climate voices Dr. Heidi Roop, Dr. Mark Seeley, Paul Douglas, live music by Peter Mayer, and recognition of local sustainability leaders. The evening brought science, hope, music, and community together while celebrating the people and partnerships helping create a more sustainable St. Croix Valley.

Community members gathered at Matt’s Basement during Valley Climate Action Week to explore how personal stories can build understanding, inspire hope, and strengthen our connection to the environment. Led by Jothsna Harris and Arian Tomar, the evening sparked meaningful conversation, new connections, and a powerful reminder that stories can be a catalyst for action.

Six riders joined Sustainable Stillwater MN for Pedal for the Planet during Valley Climate Action Week, exploring how active transportation can be good for our health, our community, and the environment. With help from Herman’s Bike Rental and some electric bikes, the ride offered a fun reminder that getting around town can be part of the adventure.

Forty community members joined SSMN and the Brown’s Creek Watershed District for a fun night of climate trivia at Lift Bridge Brewing Co. during Valley Climate Action Week. With friendly competition, climate-themed prizes, and plenty of laughs, the evening showed that learning about sustainability can be both meaningful and fun.

SSMN volunteers took their Valley Climate Action Week Trash Dash to the streets around Oak Park Heights, finding plenty of litter in areas near local businesses and parking lots. Six volunteers spent an hour cleaning up the area, proving that even a quick cleanup can make an immediate difference.

During Valley Climate Action Week, SSMN explored a local rain garden at Washington Square Park, giving attendees a closer look at sustainable stormwater management in action. Although the lunchtime gathering was small, it created a valuable opportunity to learn, strengthen partnerships, and think about new ways to bring rain garden education to more people.

Despite a cold and rainy evening, 55 community members gathered in Woodbury for C-Change Conversations, a science-based, nonpartisan discussion about climate change and its impacts on our communities, economy, health, and future. The event strengthened regional partnerships and showed the value of creating welcoming spaces for learning, dialogue, and meaningful action.

Sustainable Stillwater MN brought secondhand style to Stillwater High School during Valley Climate Action Week with a fun, student-focused Style Swap. With 55 students stopping to shop and explore upcycling activities, the event showed that giving clothing a second life can be creative, accessible, and genuinely fun.

Valley Climate Action Week wraps up Saturday with a joyful celebration of birds, clean water, wildlife, and community at the Community Watershed Celebration & Bird Festival. Join us at Brown’s Creek Park for live raptors, nature exhibits, family activities, local organizations, and the always-fun Bird Costume Contest!

Friday’s Valley Climate Action Week events show how people power lasting change, from science-based climate solutions and civic engagement to family-friendly learning around the game table. Join us for Community Leadership Day and find your own way to connect, participate, and make a difference.

Thursday’s Valley Climate Action Week celebration brings together climate science, community leadership, and local action for an inspiring evening in downtown Stillwater. Hear from leading climate experts, celebrate the 2026 Sustainability Leadership Award winners, and connect with others working toward a thriving St. Croix Valley.

Wednesday’s Valley Climate Action Week events explore how transportation and storytelling can help move communities toward a cleaner, more connected future. Join us for a family-friendly bike ride through Stillwater, then continue the evening with The Power of Climate Storytelling at Matt’s Basement.