Minnetonka's greenest gathered this month as the City Council named the winners of the 2023 Sustainability Awards, a celebration of local eco-friendly initiatives. The honorees, announced at the April 22 meeting, span a range of categories from energy conservation to waste reduction, each earning recognition for their contributions to the city's environmental health. According to an official city statement, the awards went to residents, businesses, and organizations leading the charge in sustainable practices over the last two years.
In the Energy Category, St. David’s Center for Child and Family Development took home the accolade. They implemented a 46-kilowatt solar energy system, and, they didn't stop there – all light bulbs in a major building renovation were switched to LEDs. The Landscaping Category victor, Charlie Swanson, found an innovative way to clear invasive buckthorn from his property without harmful chemicals by employing a goat mitigation service and removing roots by hand. Michelle Traeger and Kevin Gordon snagged the award in the Water Category by constructing a rain garden that significantly reduces road runoff laden with potential pollutants from reaching the nearby wetland, a project that both beautifies and serves an ecological purpose.
Reducing what hits the landfill paid off for Bailey Properties, who claimed the Waste Category award. As detailed in the city's announcement, the company has achieved an impressive 80 percent recycling rate for their solid waste through diligent participation in both traditional and organic recycling. The young environmentalists of the Minnetonka Natural Resources Club didn't go unnoticed, landing the Young Person Category win. Their ambitious work from 2022-23, which included distributing 300 native tree saplings and advocating for storm drain maintenance, clearly demonstrates their commitment to preserving Minnetonka's natural resources.
The awards themselves are a statement of sustainable practice; each winner received a wooden plaque crafted from local ash trees that had fallen victim to the emerald ash borer. Plaques were bestowed not simply as a symbol of honor, but as a tangible piece of the city's own ecological narrative, repurposed and given new life in recognition of those who strive, to keep Minnetonka vibrant and green. This year's assembly of winners showcases the diverse ways in which individuals and groups can impact their environment for the better, proving that sustainability thrives on innovation and community effort.
