State environmental experts say the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is improving our environment while continuing to put Veterans and their families first.

The Enterprise Sustainability Steering Team, chaired by Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, recognizes agencies that have shown significant progress and innovation toward meeting the enterprise sustainability goals. Agencies are nominated for awards in each focus area, and for a Sustainability All-Star Award. This year, MDVA won the Sustainability All-Star Award for our work to foster a culture of sustainability.

Serving Minnesota Veterans and their families often means careful planning and thinking about the future. Because we have many locations – such as our eight Veterans Homes and four State Veterans Cemeteries – being excellent stewards of our resources is crucial to our mission and a key to MDVA’s culture.

Emma Hutson, MDVA’s Agency Sustainability Coordinator says a combination of factors contribute to a culture of sustainability that supports our mission and goals and enriches the lives of our Homes Residents. “Our approach to building a culture of sustainability involves many things, including collaborating with leaders and employees, focusing on important projects such as installing solar arrays and electric vehicle chargers, and collaborating with teams, Residents and families in everyday sustainability efforts.”

For example, in April 2025 the sustainability team collaborated with employees and Residents at all eight Veterans Homes to celebrate Earth Month. Together they came up with activities for employees that supported our sustainability goals. Some of the efforts included:

• A hydration and bottle reuse challenge. One Home saved 150 plastic water bottles!
• A sustainable commuting challenge where team members biked or took public transportation to work.
• Connecting with Residents by designing fun activities such as building bee hotels, learning about resource management at Blue Mounds State Park and getting the inside scoop on how recycling really works from a local waste hauler.

One solution to a problem turned into a win-win situation in early summer. To get rid of stubborn invasive foliage such as buckthorn, our Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries – Redwood Falls leadership brought in an even more stubborn herd of goats. No kidding – they gobbled up the pesky plants in a matter of days!

Look for MDVA, its employees, Residents and families to keep shining in the future of environmental sustainability.