Sustainable Stillwater MN was honored to be named Nonprofit of the Year at the 2026 Community Awards hosted by the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. This recognition celebrates the collective impact of volunteers, partners, businesses, and community members working together to advance sustainability across the St. Croix Valley.

Sustainable Stillwater MN welcomes Amelia Kozlowski as our newest Student Board Member. A junior at Stillwater Area High School, Amelia brings a passion for sustainable fashion, youth leadership, and climate action to our Board of Directors.

We’re excited to welcome Brett Sitter to the Board of Directors at Sustainable Stillwater MN. With a career rooted in innovative climate solutions and a personal passion for prairie restoration, Brett brings both expertise and heart to advancing local sustainability efforts in the St. Croix Valley.

Sustainable Stillwater MN (SSMN) is growing, and we’re excited to share that we’re hiring two part-time positions to help support our impact in 2026 and beyond. If you’re passionate about sustainability, care deeply about your community, and are looking for flexible, meaningful part-time work, this might be a great fit for you.

On Saturday, January 31, 2026, Sustainable Stillwater MN Executive Director Andi Arnold and Board Vice Chair Sirid Kellerman had the opportunity to connect with Ayana Elizabeth Johnson who was in MN as a keynote for The Great Northern Festival. 

Sustainable Stillwater MN would like to sincerely thank Tiffany Parr for her outstanding service as Treasurer on the SSMN Board. Tiffany’s leadership, dedication, and financial expertise have played a key role in helping our organization reach the strong financial position we are in today.

When the world feels heavy and events beyond our control create uncertainty, community is where our power lives. Sustainable Stillwater MN is rooted in stewardship, resilience, and showing up for one another—because small, local actions, taken together, can create real and lasting impact. It starts right here.

We’re excited to welcome Scott Kneeskern to the Sustainable Stillwater MN Board of Directors. A Stillwater resident since 2021, Scott brings a strong commitment to ethical, sustainable design, community engagement, and local climate action. His passion for clear communication and hands-on sustainability aligns closely with our mission to create meaningful change at the local level.

Through his ongoing support and volunteerism, Jeff Riegle has played an important role in advancing sustainability efforts in the St. Croix Valley. His dedication to community and planet is now being recognized with the Principal Financial Network Community Service Award.

Sustainable Stillwater MN has been awarded a $10,000 Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant to support strategic planning, stronger messaging, and long-term organizational growth. We’re deeply grateful to the Andersen Foundations and the St. Croix Valley Foundation for this meaningful investment in our mission and our future.

In 2025, Sustainable Stillwater MN grew in impact, deepened partnerships, and brought more people together than ever before around local climate action. From record-setting community events to expanded funding and policy influence, this year showed what’s possible when a community leads—because It Starts Right Here.

Thank you to Cornerstone Auto for their generous $2,500 donation to Sustainable Stillwater MN, supporting expanded EV charging in Stillwater and the St. Croix Valley. This contribution is helping advance EV charging and strengthen our community’s clean transportation future.

A beloved Scandinavian holiday tradition came to life as one Mission: Possible Gala Silent Auction winner enjoyed a hands-on lefse making day with Nancy Lyner. From Grandma’s treasured recipe to Swedish glögg and a cozy lunch, the experience was filled with warmth, tradition, and community.

Rosie Russell has joined the Sustainable Stillwater MN Board of Directors, bringing over a decade of experience in sustainability, equity, and community engagement. As the founder of Community Kinetics, she is dedicated to uplifting underrepresented voices and strengthening the connection between people, place, and nature.

This winter, you can stay warm while keeping your energy bills low with a few simple, sustainable habits. From sealing drafts to maximizing natural sunlight, these smart tips make it easy to save money and reduce your environmental impact.

Sustainable Stillwater MN is excited to welcome Brett Swanson to our Board of Directors as of November 2025. Brett brings a passion for community-level environmental action and a deep commitment to building a more resilient, sustainable Stillwater.

As 2025 comes to a close, Sustainable Stillwater MN is celebrating a year of local progress and inviting the community to take the next step by joining the Clean Energy Challenge. Your year-end gift helps power the programs and partnerships that keep Stillwater moving toward a greener, healthier future.

Stillwater has five open seats on the Energy Action Commission—an opportunity for community members to help guide the city’s long-term sustainability goals. Join the team working to reduce emissions, strengthen energy resilience, and build a healthier, more sustainable future for Stillwater.

Looking to deepen your environmental impact? The Minnesota Water Stewards program is launching statewide in 2026, and the Washington Conservation District is recruiting a new cohort of volunteers ready to learn, lead, and protect our local waters.

Thank you to everyone who supported Sustainable Stillwater MN on Give to the Max Day — together we raised around $1,000 to power clean transportation in our community. Your generosity helps create a cleaner, healthier future right here in the Stillwater area.