Griffin Peck and the City of Morris’ Sustainable Strategic Plan 2.0

Griffin Peck is the Sustainability Project Coordinator for the City of Morris. Griffin works to advance the goals of the Morris Model, a partnership between the University, Morris Public Schools, and the City of Morris. The model is designed to advance sustainability in Morris and west central Minnesota. Griffin’s role involves collecting data, publishing findings, and designing and undertaking projects.

Through focusing on multiple sectors of sustainability, Griffin hopes to help make Morris a place where people want to stay—an inclusive and innovative community.

Strategic Planning

Last November, stakeholders from the Morris community came together to plan their Sustainable Strategic Plan 2.0. The first plan was completed in 2018 and primarily focused on energy, transportation, waste, and education. The new plan expands to topics that align more closely with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

“By expanding strategic plan topics, we were able to engage a bigger cross section of our community,” said Griffin. “In 2018, our first strategic plan meeting had around 35 participants. For the second strategic plan, we met with more than 200 people during two events.”

The 2.0 version includes sections about poverty, hunger, and education. This expansion in thinking allowed more people from different areas of expertise to come to the planning session.

A Seat at the Table

A goal of the new strategic plan is to get people thinking about sustainability within their own realm of operations. The planning effort structured itself around tables focused on important sustainability ideas.

“We connected people who already are working and thinking in similar focus areas. We set the table for them to come together and brainstorm ideas and connect,” said Griffin.

For example, a table was dedicated to public health planning. Public health professionals connected with individuals working on similar initiatives at the county medical center and across west central Minnesota. Conversations centered around health and wellness, food access, and ending poverty.

Inclusive Sustainability

Griffin works towards a more equitable future for the City of Morris. Through their diverse work in the different realms of sustainability, they hope to create an inclusive place where everyone has a seat at the table. To make people excited about sustainability, Griffin frames the goals of the Morris Model in ways everyone can appreciate.

“Goals such as no poverty or hunger in our community are easy for anyone across the political spectrum to say ‘Yes, I agree with that.’”