The Community Leadership Program focuses on shaping the policies and systems that influence long-term sustainability and climate resilience. Rather than addressing challenges in isolation, this program works at the structural level — supporting land use planning, energy systems, and climate strategies that guide how communities grow and adapt. Through collaboration with local governments, utilities, and regional partners, Sustainable Stillwater MN helps ensure that sustainability goals are grounded in community values and informed by credible research.

This program emphasizes leadership development and shared responsibility. By engaging residents, decision-makers, and organizations in climate and energy planning, the Community Leadership Program builds understanding, transparency, and trust around complex issues. It supports equitable access to clean energy solutions, helps communities navigate transitions in energy use, and encourages policies that protect health, affordability, and environmental quality.

In addition to policy engagement, the program promotes practical tools and data-driven approaches that empower individuals and communities to take meaningful action. By connecting systems-level change with everyday decision-making, the Community Leadership Program helps translate climate goals into achievable steps that create lasting impact.