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Welcome to the Pilot Versions Page where you can see a record of the releases and submit comments.
Welcome to the Pilot Versions Page where you can see a record of the releases and submit comments.
Minnesota GreenStep Schools Pilot Launch
Minnesota GreenStep Schools Pilot Launch
Use the current Pilot Version for:
Use the current Pilot Version for:
Schools and Districts to Join and achieve Step 1 Level Recognition and higher
Resource Organizations to Join
MN GreenStep Schools Green Clubs - for any new or existing student clubs that work on any or all parts of MN GreenStep Schools best practices.
Sign up to express your interest on our interest map and get on our mailing list See the Interest Map
About the Pilot Versions
About the Pilot Versions
Prior Version: The Pilot Version 1.0 was released January 16th, 2020
The pilot version built basic capabilities. Not all features were active. As the website was developed, greater functionality and addition of more Best Practice Pages and Best Practice Action details were developed. Note that even if a best practice page is not developed, you can work on actions in that category.
The current Pilot Version 1.1 was established March 21, 2026 at a new server.
In the one month web transition of the new website through 4/20/26, the website will change:
Links compatible with the new server will be established
More best practice pages will be developed
A selection of Best Practices will be renamed or renumbered as documented below.
The organization and look of pages may change
If you have any comments on the website, please submit your feedback in this form, or alternately contact Jonee at kulma002@umn.edu including the name of the page in the email subject line, and your comment or question in the email body. As significant updates are made, they will be listed below.
Pilot Version 1.0 Updates:
Pilot Version 1.0 Updates:
(expand to view)
These are the substantial updates since the January 16, 2020 release including the activation of pages and features not in the initial release. Listed below are updates to the functioning and documentation of the program. The focus is on the essential documentation and procedures needed to participate in the program.
Not included are news updates, added resource articles, added training resources, changing project promotional elements, or status updates on which organizations have expressed interest, joined, or advanced in recognition.
Update 1/21/20
Update 1/21/20
Outcome Area Pages added for each of the four outcome areas, link-able from the main Best Practices page or the Drop down menu
Best Practice Pages added for "BP 0.1 Green Team" and "BP 0.2 GreenStep Schools Resolution" link-able from the main Best Practices page or the Organizational Leadership Outcome Area Page.
Update 2/21/20
Top Menu structure and hierarchy changes include making Best Practices show up on the top menu, and rearranging the order of top menu items.
Clarifications to the Overall process for districts and schools to take. (Districts and Schools Page)
Update 3/11/2020
Editorial and language refinements.
BP 1.5 Water Efficiency page is complete, and has a downloadable datasheet.
Update 7/20/2020
A prompt for describing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices has been added to the Step 1 Form and the Project Story Form
The following online Resources for BP 0.2 GreenStep School Resolution have been added
bp0.2 Resolution Preparation Guidance and Resources
MN GreenStep Schools Summary Slide Deck Template (Powerpoint as of 7/20/20)
MN GreenStep Schools Executive Summary (2 pages, as of 7/20/20)
bp0.2 Sample school board resolution to participate in Minnesota GreenStep Schools
bp0.2 School Participation Commitment Template
Update 3/17/2021
BP 1.2 Renewable Energy has been renamed to BP 1.2 Clean Energy
BP 1.2 Clean Energy page has been added
Update 1/31/2022
BP 1.3 Waste Reduction page with actions and resources has been added
Update 4/22/2022
Added a new best practice: "BP 1.12 Climate Mitigation and Planning: District/School has assessed their greenhouse gas emissions, planned for their reduction, and is taking action toward that goal." (Best Practice page is in progress)
Update 3/16/2022
Added a page for BP1.1 Energy Efficiency, which is in process, but includes the contact information for an advisor for more information, and a listing of some energy educational resources.
Added energy educational resources to BP1.2 Clean Energy
Update 10/9/23
Changed language under BP1.2 Section C from referencing fuel switching to referencing electrification
Changed the title of BP 3.6 from Community Engagement to Community Partnerships to better reflect what it includes and better differentiate it from BP 3.5
Update 10/26/23
Best Practices 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, and 3.6 were expanded and updated
Update 1/9/24
The Progress Steps program feature was added
Updated 1/26/24
The GreenStep Green Clubs or MN GreenStep Green Clubs participation type was renamed and simplified to "GreenStep Clubs"
"Step 1 Level" recognition and the description of how to become a "Step 1" school was changed to reflect language updates from "Step 1 Level Recognition" to "GreenStep 1 award."
Interim updates to be added 1/24-10/25
Updated 10/27/25
BP1.1 Energy Efficiency page draft was completed, and ready for review. (Previously it was a partial draft).
Updated 1/13/26
BP 2.2 Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality was updated in Best Practice Action F.2 Outdoor Air Pollution to add more actions and links to resources.
Pilot Version 1.1 Updates:
Pilot Version 1.1 Updates:
These are the substantial updates since the March 21, 2026 start of Pilot Version 1.1 Listed below are updates to the functioning and documentation of the program. The focus is on the essential documentation and procedures needed to participate in the program, rather than every change to the website. Significant changes to location of program information will be noted.
Not included are news updates, added resource articles, added training resources, changing project promotional elements, or status updates on which organizations have expressed interest, joined, or advanced in recognition. Also not included are visual changes of the program.
Update 4/1/26
Update 4/1/26
Pilot version messages on the footer and on the pilot versions page were updated.
Update 4/7/26 SIGNIFICANT UPDATE BEST PRACTICE RENUMBERING 3.2-3.7
Update 4/7/26 SIGNIFICANT UPDATE BEST PRACTICE RENUMBERING 3.2-3.7
NEW best practice "3.2 Extra-curricular Environmental Education" was added because it had been unclear where to document extra-curricular environmental education. It made sense for this best practice to directly follow "3.1 Integrated Environmental Education," which is for curriculum-integrated environmental education.
To accommodate the new best practice number, former best practices 3.2-3.6 were all renumbered to accommodate the new best practice.
3.2 Outdoor Learning became 3.3
3.3 Teacher Training became 3.4
3.4 Environmental Career Preparation became 3.5
3.5 Community Projects became 3.6
3.6 Community Partnerships became 3.7Note that this change may change the reference to environmental education best practices in other parts of the program. If you find any errors relating to the renumbering that we have missed, please let us know.
Update 4/7/26
"1.6 Onsite Stormwater Management" was renamed "1.6 Land and Stormwater Management" to better describe the scope of the best practice. The subtitle remained the same.
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