In 2013, a small group of local residents and high school students came together to imagine a greener future for Stillwater. They hosted a community-wide visioning session to ask one simple question: How can we make Stillwater more sustainable? That early spark set the foundation for what would become Sustainable Stillwater MN. ​The group grew over the next few years, building partnerships with city leaders, local businesses, and volunteers. In 2016, the effort was publicly launched as Sustainable Stillwater MN (SSMN), an independent grassroots initiative dedicated to promoting sustainability across the community.

As community involvement deepened and projects multiplied, it became clear that the organization needed a formal structure to sustain its impact. On March 4, 2019, Sustainable Stillwater MN became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. ​This milestone allowed SSMN to strengthen its programs, expand partnerships, and establish its role as a trusted local leader in sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Over the years, SSMN has helped Stillwater achieve Minnesota GreenStep City recognition, supported Safe Routes to School, launched the Green Business Directory, and collaborated with the City of Stillwater on the Energy Action Plan adopted in 2024. These initiatives, along with volunteer-driven efforts like bird walks, community cleanups, waste-reduction projects, and public education, have brought sustainability into everyday life in Stillwater.

As SSMN continues to grow, our work is guided by three key pillars that reflect a balanced vision for the future:

• Environment – Protecting and restoring the natural world that sustains us.

• Economy – Supporting local businesses and systems that operate responsibly and thrive sustainably.

• Community – Building connections, equity, and shared purpose among residents and organizations.

Together, these pillars represent our holistic approach to sustainability — where people, planet, and prosperity are all valued and interdependent.

From humble beginnings in a small community meeting to a thriving nonprofit with dozens of active volunteers and partners, Sustainable Stillwater MN continues to evolve. Our focus remains the same: to inspire and empower our community to live in balance with the environment, support a sustainable local economy, and strengthen the bonds that connect us all.