Over 40 people gathered at an event co-hosted by Central Region Clean Energy Resource Team (CERT) and the Becker, Clay, Otter Tail and Wilkin County Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) at Emmanuel Community center.
"The purpose of this summit is to bring together the interests of public health, the environment and sustainability to better work toward common goals, particularly designing communities for all users to be active and have access to local foods," explained Patrick Hollister of PartnerSHIP 4 Health.
Panelists spoke about best practices of integrating complete transport options and increasing access to local, healthy food.
"More comprehensive transportation options help community members and communities become more active, healthy, and thriving," said panelist Brad Green, Public Works and Parks director, City of Detroit Lakes.
Meeting attendees also learned about Minnesota GreenStep Cities, a voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainability goals through implementation of 28 best practices. Each best practice can be implemented by completing one or more specific actions from a list of four to eight actions. These actions are tailored to all Minnesota cities, focus on cost savings and energy use reduction, and encourage innovation.
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"CERTs works with communities across Minnesota to identify and implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. By participating in GreenStep Cities, local governments get support and recognition for their efforts, while making their community healthier, more prosperous, and more energy efficient. We're thrilled to make new allies with the public health community, since there's such a natural alliance," exclaimed Angela Headlee, Central CERT coordinator.
During an engaging discussion, Bob McLean and John van der Linden of Hunt Utilities Group (HUG) shared their perspective from implementing GreenStep Cities in Pine River -- the first Minnesotan city to sign on to this new program. Van der Linden shared a map he's created to help other small cities easily navigate the steps to becoming a Minnesota GreenStep City.
Dallas Flynn, board member of the Lakes Area Farmer's Market in Detroit Lakes and former CERTs Steering Committee, shared changes he's made to his own growing system. By using solar thermal hot air panels purchased from Pine River-based RREAL, Flynn is able to heat soil in a high tunnel of insulated walls to expand the growing season from 90 days to nearly 300 days a year.
"By the end of the meeting, it was apparent to all that the goals of SHIP and MN GreenStep are intertwined. There's also tremendous potential for collaborative efforts with agencies at the local level to make communities in the area healthier and more sustainable," said Sandy Gunderson of Becker County Environmental Services.
