Kelsey Depew has been a guiding force behind Sustainable Stillwater MN since 2018—transforming our communications, building digital systems, and bringing our mission to life with clarity and heart. As she steps fully into her staff role, we honor the legacy she’s helped create.

We’re excited to support Trinity Lutheran Church in their efforts to install four electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in its south parking lot, becoming the first public EV chargers near downtown Stillwater. This project is not just about infrastructure—it’s a powerful example of community-led climate action.

This past Saturday, Leslie Frick repped the SSMN Green Business Directory at the Farmers Market — and helped spread the word about Washington County’s Food Scraps Pickup Program! It’s an easy way to reduce waste and help our planet.

Sustainable Stillwater MN is excited to announce our next Plant a Seed Meet-up — an exclusive event for members of our Green Business Directory — happening Wednesday, July 16 from 5:00–6:30 PM in downtown Lake Elmo. What makes this event unique? We’ll take a walking tour through three neighboring Green Business Members, all within one block, and hear directly from the business owners.

On May 10, 2025, local families gathered at the St. Croix Valley Recreation Center Fieldhouse for a fun and educational day at the annual Bike Rodeo for Kids — a free event focused on essential riding skills and safety practices for young, beginner bicyclists. Co-organized by Brad Junker of the Stillwater Police Department and Rick Heidick of Sustainable Stillwater MN, the event brought together a dedicated team of volunteers from both organizations, along with help from the

National Great Outdoors Month is a time to remember that some of life’s greatest treasures don’t come with a price tag — they come with fresh air, open skies, and time spent outside.

What a fantastic kickoff to the 2025 season of Plant A Seed! On Wednesday, June 4, members of the Greater Stillwater Area Green Business Directory gathered at the cozy and creative Matt’s Basement Lounge for an evening full of inspiration, ideas, and (of course) bubble tea.

June kicks off with National Trails Day (the first Saturday of the month) and unfolds into National Camping Month, making it the perfect time to get outside, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the land.

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Mark Schwantes for his dedication and care in helping keep downtown Stillwater beautiful and litter-free. For years, Mark volunteered his time and energy to empty the cigarette butt containers and clean up litter around them—ensuring sidewalks, streets, and storm drains stayed clear of toxic debris that could otherwise end up in our beloved St. Croix River.

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.

Calling all nature lovers, birdwatchers, families, and curious minds! You’re invited to the Browns Creek Community Event & Bird Festival on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Browns Creek Park (8312 Neal Ave N, Stillwater, MN 55082) for a fun and educational morning celebrating the incredible world of birds and the vital role they play in our shared ecosystems.

At the May 6, 2025 City Council Workshop, Sustainable Stillwater MN Board Member and Energy Action Team Lead Roger Tomten delivered a powerful presentation on a transformative idea for Stillwater’s future: walkability. SSMN donated twelve copies of Walkable City Rules—Jeff Speck’s practical companion guide—to the City for use by council members, staff, and commissions. These books contain specific, actionable recommendations that could be tailored to Stillwater’s unique needs

On Wednesday, May 7, all seven elementary schools in Stillwater Area School District ISD 834 participated in Bike to School Day 2025, making this year’s event a district-wide success! With over 500 students biking, scootering, or walking to school, the event marked a milestone in active transportation for Stillwater’s youngest residents.

As the Executive Director of Sustainable Stillwater MN, I recently had the opportunity to join the EcoFaith group for a fascinating tour of the Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy (R&E) Center. Seeing firsthand how our community’s trash is processed was both eye-opening and inspiring.

Young women are leading the climate vote—but where are the young men? A new report from the Environmental Voter Project reveals a striking gender gap in climate activism and voting. Sustainable Stillwater MN explores why this matters and highlights two upcoming opportunities for youth to get involved: the Washington Co. Climate Action Plan vote on May 13 and the 4-H Climate Career Panel on May 16. The time to engage is now.

This week, we're joining the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), and organizations across the country to observe Air Quality Awareness Week — a time to highlight the importance of clean air and share practical ways to stay healthy when the air isn’t.

At the 2025 World Economy Summit, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy had a chance to support safer, cleaner, and more equitable transportation infrastructure. Instead, he grumbled about “bikes” like they were an inconvenience — not a vital, growing part of a healthy transportation system.

Instead of abandoning the mower altogether in May and then compensating with a brutal cut, Slow Mow Summer promotes moderation and consistency. Think of it as the “meditation” of lawn care: slower, more intentional, and ultimately more beneficial to both people and pollinators.

On a gorgeous spring day with a cool breeze and clear blue skies, almost 500 community members gathered at Pioneer Park in Stillwater, MN for the 3rd Annual Valley Eco Fair — and what a celebration it was!