Looking Back at 2025: Growing Together, Locally

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re pausing to reflect on a year filled with connection, growth, and meaningful progress. This year reminded us that local action matters—and that when people come together with care and intention, real change takes root.

One of the most exciting developments this year was the strengthening of Sustainable Stillwater MN’s financial foundation. We secured $25,000 from the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation to support Creating Environmental Change in the St. Croix Valley, and received $20,000 in General Operating Support from the St. Croix Valley Foundation, where we were selected as one of just 19 organizations funded. We also saw strong prospects for an additional $10,000 Certs Grant and continued advancing several new grant opportunities. These investments are more than dollars—they represent trust in our mission and confidence in the power of community-driven climate action.

Behind the scenes, we also focused on strengthening leadership and organizational health. We welcomed four new board members, hosted a thoughtful and energizing board retreat in November, and continued building relationships with future board prospects. Board member Roger even brought Walkable Stillwater books to the City Council, helping spark conversation about people-centered design and accessible communities.

Roger Tomten presenting to Stillwater City Council

2025 was also a standout year for community engagement. Our Mission: Possible Gala was our largest yet, welcoming 235 attendees and selling out with a waiting list—an incredible sign of community support. The evening was grounded and inspired by keynote speaker Jonathan Foley, whose words reminded us why local leadership matters. Throughout the year, more than 200 people joined us for the Community Watershed Celebration and Bird Festival, while the Valley Eco Fair, Art Connects Community initiative, Plant a Seed networking events, Flash Mob Gardening, and Eco-Sunday EV Show (hosted with Trinity Lutheran Church) brought learning and creativity into shared spaces.

Our impact reached even further through active participation across the region. We joined the Bridge the Valley Bike Rally, tabled at the Stillwater Farmers Market to share information about Washington County’s Food Scrap program, and participated in the State Fair Eco Experience through our Green Business program. Along the way, we supported 500 students biking to school and collected 133 bicycles for community distribution—small actions that add up to healthier, more connected communities.

This year also gave us the chance to celebrate people making a difference. We were honored to present Sustainability Awards to Del Peterson, Kyle Te Poel, and Jean Johnson, recognizing their leadership and lasting contributions to our region.

Partnerships continued to be at the heart of our work. We strengthened collaborations with Recharge America, EcoFaith, and Bright Action, including the launch of the Clean Energy Challenge at the gala.

At the policy level, Sustainable Stillwater MN continued to have a seat at the table. We secured a role on the Washington County Climate Action Plan team, worked closely with the City’s Energy Action Commission, supported the addition of sharrows to improve street safety, and shared our work with groups like Leadership in the Valley, Stillwater Morning Rotary, and Stillwater Women’s Business Bridge.

Internally, we made important strides to ensure our organization is sustainable too—improving financial systems, balancing staff workloads, reducing unpaid overtime, strengthening the Green Business Directory, and simplifying our messaging so sustainability feels more accessible and inviting to everyone.

We even carried Stillwater’s story beyond the region, representing Sustainable Stillwater MN at Climate Week in New York and San Francisco and building connections across environmental, business, faith, and civic networks nationwide.

As we look ahead, we feel grounded in what we’ve built and energized by what’s possible. The momentum is real, the partnerships are strong, and the community continues to show up with care and curiosity.

As we step into 2026, we carry a simple truth with us—It Starts Right Here.