For nearly 30 years, Del Peterson has helped lead the effort to restore and protect Stillwater’s beloved Lily Lake. His steady dedication helped remove the lake from Minnesota’s impaired waters list — a true community success story.

As founder of Next Bend Birding, Kyle Te Poel proves that a small business can have a big impact. From carbon-neutral operations to community giving, Kyle’s work shows how sustainability and passion for nature go hand in hand.

At Zvago Stillwater, Jean Johnson has led her community in transforming sustainable living from concept to reality. Through her leadership and everyday example, she’s inspired residents to recycle more, waste less, and live with intention.

The Mission: Possible Gala Silent Auction is now live! Bid online for unique local items, experiences, and treasures to support Sustainable Stillwater MN — the auction closes at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 30th.

Nearly 75 people gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the new John B. Goodman Trail at The Lakes Senior Living Community. This beautiful, accessible trail invites everyone to experience Stillwater’s natural beauty while learning about local birds, wetlands, and history.

Stillwater celebrated National Public Lands Day with 35 dedicated volunteers who cleared 4.5 acres of invasive buckthorn from the “Golden Woods” near Brown’s Creek Trail. Thanks to their hard work—and a long-term restoration plan—this cherished woodland is on its way to thriving again with native plants and renewed biodiversity.

Nearly 200 people joined us for the Community Watershed Celebration & Bird Festival, enjoying raptor demonstrations, hands-on activities, and a lively bird costume contest. Together, we celebrated our feathered neighbors while learning how to make Stillwater a bird-friendly and climate-resilient community.

This is a rare opportunity to hear from Dr. Jonathan Foley, a global climate leader shaping our future and empowering communities to take action. Don’t miss your chance to be part of Mission: Possible – An Evening of Climate Action—reserve your tickets or table today and support local solutions for a sustainable tomorrow.

Join us in creating a greener future! Donate an experience, gift certificate, or sustainable item to Sustainable Stillwater MN’s Gala Auctions and help support local initiatives for a healthier, more resilient St. Croix Valley.

A team of six passionate volunteers swooped in on July 30 to rescue seven rain gardens along Wilkins Street after overzealous maintenance left them weedy and sparse. Led by Sustainable Stillwater MN’s Ruth Alliband, the group cleared four gardens in just 2.5 hours, with follow-up work finishing the job. Next up: replanting with native species to restore these vital pollinator habitats!

On August 10th, over 600 cyclists gathered in Stillwater for the Bridge the Valley Bike Rally, enjoying scenic routes through the St. Croix Valley. Sustainable Stillwater MN celebrated the city’s commitment to being a Bike Friendly City and connected with riders at our booth to share safety tips and sustainability initiatives. It was a day of community, cycling, and environmental pride.

Help us make Mission: Possible – An Evening of Climate Action, our biggest fundraiser of the year, an unforgettable success! On Thursday, October 30th, we’ll gather at the beautiful JX Center in Stillwater for a night of inspiration, community, and commitment to a greener future. But to pull off this incredible evening, we need your help.

At Night to Unite 2025, Sustainable Stillwater MN connected with residents of all ages to share simple, meaningful ways to protect our environment. From solar panels to milkweed seeds, neighbors showed how small steps can lead to big change.

Do you know someone turning environmental commitment into real-world impact? A local business, educator, nonprofit, or everyday citizen making a difference? It’s time to recognize their efforts. We are now accepting nominations for the 2025 Sustainability Leadership Award, to be presented at our Mission: Possible gala on October 30, 2025. Deadline to nominate: August 31, 2025

Food waste is a hidden problem in many American households. In fact, nearly 40% of food is wasted somewhere along the supply chain in the U.S.—with much of that waste happening right at home. To address this issue, the Stop Food Waste Challenge is returning this August, giving individuals and families a fun, interactive way to reduce waste, save money, and lessen their environmental impact.

Join us at the MN State Fair on August 22! We need two 18+ volunteers to help at our Green Business Directory booth in the Eco Experience Building. Shifts are 3–6 PM or 6–9 PM. You'll greet fairgoers, share info about sustainable businesses, and promote a prize drawing. Free fair ticket included!

You're invited to Mission: Possible – A Night of Climate Action, Sustainable Stillwater MN’s fourth annual fundraiser! Join us October 30 for an inspiring evening featuring keynote speaker Dr. Jonathan Foley, a silent auction, and community celebration. Your support makes our mission possible!

Get ready to ruffle some feathers—in the most festive way possible! The first annual Bird Costume Contest is taking flight as part of the Browns Creek Community Event & Bird Festival, and you're invited to join the flock.

We’re proud to introduce Art Connects Community, a communications initiative that invites community members to share their concept of a thriving, resilient community through the medium of visual art. Beyond being a platform for community expression, we intend that this art will create opportunities for new connections and conversations about sustainability, resilience, and what our shared environment means to us. 

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, volunteers from across the Stillwater area gathered under cloudy skies—but thankfully dry weather!—to make a difference for our local ecosystem at the Green River Greening Lumberjack Landing restoration event. The event was a collaborative effort between Bird City Stillwater, the City of Stillwater, and Great River Greening.