The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) celebrates Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, 2023. Earth Day is a globally recognized observance dedicated to increasing awareness and encouraging action that supports lowering our environmental footprint.

As Minnesota’s climate continues to change and we see warmer temperatures, shorter winters and more frequent and extreme precipitation events, MDVA remains committed to sustainability and conserving resources. Our sustainability commitment enhances care and services to Minnesota’s Veterans and their families while reducing environmental impacts and costs.

Here are a few examples of the steps we’re taking to make a big impact on our progress toward achieving the sustainability goals outlined in Governor Walz’s Executive Order 19-27. We’ve also added some simple recommendations for what you can do at home to help increase sustainability in your life and community.

Goal #1: Reduce water use by 15% by 2025
What we’re doing in the workplace: Reusing stormwater for irrigation at the State Cemetery in Preston and decreasing how often the lawn is watered at the Minnesota Veterans Home - Minneapolis.
What you can do at home: Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.

Goal #2: Reduce energy use by 30% by 2027
What we’re doing in the workplace: Completed a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrade at Silver Bay Veterans Home and installed energy submeters at Minneapolis and Hastings campuses to identify excess energy use and reduce costs. Both Homes in Luverne and Fergus Falls recently completed a Retro-Commissioning Lite Study which provided energy efficiency recommendations they hope to implement soon.
What you can do at home: Make the switch to LED lightbulbs.

Goal #3: Reduce fleet fossil fuel consumption by 30% by 2027
What we’re doing in the workplace: Passed the ‘Green Meeting Policy’ agency-wide, requiring staff members to determine if an in-person meeting or event is necessary before requiring travel to the meeting or event.
What you can do at home: Walk, bike, carpool or take public transportation to work.

Goal #4: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2025
What we’re doing in the workplace: Investing in on-site solar and renewable energy at both existing and new facilities.
What you can do at home: Unplug electronics and power down your computer when not in use.

Goal #5: Increase solid waste diversion to 75% by 2030
What we’re doing in the workplace: New Veterans Homes in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston will be equipped with trash and recycling infrastructure that meets best management practices to increase the amount of recyclables we send to recycling facilities instead of the landfill.
What you can do at home: Remember the 3 Rs – reduce, reuse, then recycle.

Our progress has been made possible because of the dedication and support from staff and leadership at Central Office as well as all our Veterans Homes and State Cemeteries. You can learn more about our successes at sustainability.mn.gov.

Emma Hutson, Asst. Sustainability Coordinator, notes that the small steps we take in the workplace and our personal lives can have a large impact on achieving a more sustainable future for this generation and the next. It simply begins with deciding to do something every day.

“It’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough – that to be sustainable, you must do everything right or you might as well just give up. However, I think that whatever you can do, no matter how big or small, makes an impact and is worth doing. From turning off the lights when you leave the room, to using a reusable water bottle, to installing solar panels or subscribing to wind energy, there’s a sustainable action for everyone. Try to focus your energy on something that excites or inspires you and see where it takes you this year!”