Looking Back with Gratitude: Thank You for Valley Climate Action Week

A month after our first-ever Valley Climate Action Week, we’re still feeling grateful—for the people who showed up, the ideas shared, and the many hands that made it all possible.

By our rough estimate, approximately 850 people participated across a dozen free, accessible events, making this the largest undertaking in Sustainable Stillwater MN’s history. Behind those numbers were people from across generations coming together to learn, build connections, and share their hopes for a more sustainable future.

Looking back, what stays with us most is how generously our community gave its time, talents, resources, and encouragement. Thank you for helping bring our mission of connecting the community through sustainability programs to life.

Thank You for Sharing Your Knowledge and Inspiration

We are grateful to Kathleen Biggins, Jothsna Harris, Arian Tomar, Paul Douglas, Dr. Heidi Roop, Dr. Mark Seely, and Dr. Jonathan Foley for sharing their expertise and helping us see possibilities for climate action. Their contributions sparked conversations and gave us much to carry forward.

At our Celebration of Science & Sustainability, we had the pleasure of recognizing Andrew, Bonnie, Genevieve, and Zach, along with Rick, our lifetime achievement award recipient. Thank you for the work you do and the example you set for our community.

We also extend a heartfelt thank-you to Peter Mayer, whose inspiring music brought warmth and meaning to the celebration.

Thank You to the Community That Made It Possible

To our sponsors: thank you for contributing funds, food, and gathering spaces. Your generosity helped us keep every event free and open to anyone who wanted to participate.

To the Chamber’s Women’s Business Bridge Chapter: thank you for featuring Sustainable Stillwater MN in your nonprofit spotlight and helping more people connect with our work.

To our partner nonprofits, the students and faculty at Stillwater High School, and Environment for the Americas (EFTA): thank you for being part of this community effort. We especially appreciate the partners who helped organize events and participated in the Community Watershed and Bird Festival.

Thank you to the city for recognizing Valley Climate Action Week with a proclamation, to Mayor Ted for his encouraging words, and to the city council members and officials who joined us throughout the week.

And to everyone who attended, volunteered, invited a friend, or helped spread the word: thank you for showing up. Whether you joined us for one event or several, you helped make this first year meaningful.

Special Gratitude for Our Team

We are especially grateful to the SSMN team, whose care and hard work brought the week together.

(Left to Right) Gaby, Leslie, Allison, Mariah, Andi, and Kelsey

• Kelsey, thank you for the creativity and dedication you brought to communications, graphics, promotion, and technology—and for helping keep everything on track.
  

• Gaby, thank you for connecting the individual events into one cohesive week, coordinating details, and asking the thoughtful questions that helped us prepare.
  

• Mariah, thank you for handling letters, mailings, logistics, and so many behind-the-scenes details. Your work supported every part of this effort.
  

• Allison, thank you for organizing another wonderful Bird Festival and for giving your time and energy to trivia, the Celebration of Science & Sustainability, and other events.
  

• Leslie, thank you for supporting so many events. We were delighted to have you with us and grateful for everything you contributed.

It is a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated and talented group. Valley Climate Action Week would not have happened without you.

A month later, our gratitude continues. Thank you for giving us so much to look back on with pride and so many reasons to feel hopeful about what we can accomplish together.

Andi Arnold

Executive Director

Sustainable Stillwater MN