West Central Initiative

Sustainable Communities Network: The Morris Model Blueprint for Community Resilience
2025-09-10 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
You’re invited to learn more about the success of the Morris Model – an award-winning group made up of partner organizations working together towards a shared vision of advancing a sustainable community in Morris, Minnesota, and west central Minnesota.
The Morris Model focuses its work on energy conservation, clean energy, community resilience, cultural exchange, and celebration with specific goal areas within clean and efficient energy, transportation, waste reduction and recycling, and education. Learn more about what made the Morris Model successful with the new Morris Model Coordinator Talitha Anderson, and what steps you can take to support similar initiatives in your own community!
How this connects to the Region 4 Climate Action Plan:

Promote and incentivize local renewable energy projects. Explore leveraging existing incentives to increase renewable energy utilization and generation throughout the region.
Collaborate with residential and commercial waste haulers to establish organics diversion programs for residential and commercial buildings. Support and encourage local governments to use strategies to move the municipal operations toward zero-waste.

How this connects to the Sustainable Development Goals:

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Click here to register to attend.
Sustainable Communities Network
We invite you to join the Sustainable Communities Network and get connected to actionable climate and sustainability solutions! In the Sustainable Communities Network, you’ll connect with climate and sustainability experts and people like you working on solutions that support a resilient and sustainable future for our region.
Goals:

Connect people to actionable solutions to create more sustainable communities, now and in the future.

Build relationships across the region with each other and with the people and organizations creating positive change in their own communities.

Champion success stories and innovative projects that can be supported or replicated in other communities.

The topics and goals of the group are grounded in both the Minnesota Region 4 Climate Action Plan and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that are part of our strategic framework.

Sustainable Communities Network: Let’s Get Energized! New State Rebate Programs for Energy Efficiency
2025-12-10 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Join us and special guest Kathleen Hovland from the Minnesota Department of Commerce to learn more about saving money with high efficiency appliance upgrades and upcoming state rebate programs. Minnesota’s Commerce Department will be launching Save Energy Minnesota, comprised of four new residential rebate programs, in late 2025.
This is your chance to learn more about the requirements and rollout of these new programs:

Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR)
Home Efficiency Rebate (HOMES)
State Residential Heat Pump Rebate
State Electrical Panel Upgrade Grant

How this connects to the Region 4 Climate Action Plan:

Promote and distribute education and information to residents and businesses on advantages of and options for energy efficient appliances.

How this connects to the Sustainable Development Goals:

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Click here to register to attend.
Sustainable Communities Network
We invite you to join the Sustainable Communities Network and get connected to actionable climate and sustainability solutions! In the Sustainable Communities Network, you’ll connect with climate and sustainability experts and people like you working on solutions that support a resilient and sustainable future for our region.
Goals:

Connect people to actionable solutions to create more sustainable communities, now and in the future.

Build relationships across the region with each other and with the people and organizations creating positive change in their own communities.

Champion success stories and innovative projects that can be supported or replicated in other communities.

The topics and goals of the group are grounded in both the Minnesota Region 4 Climate Action Plan and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that are part of our strategic framework.

Legislative Kaffeeklatsch
2026-01-30 07:00 - 08:00 (America/Chicago)
Lakes Country Service Cooperative & West Central Initiative invite you to join us for a virtual Legislative Kaffeeklatsch to hear from our region’s legislators. Darielle Dannen will moderate the event.
Register Today

Lakes and Prairies Solar 101 - Virtual
2026-02-17 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-19 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Learn about solar energy and its benefits for your home, or small business. Solar United Neighbors will take you through the technology, economics, financing, and more.
This presentation from the experts at Solar United Neighbors will answer all your questions about going solar. You’ll learn about the solar program, solar technology, and financial considerations.
Register to attend the Virtual 101.

Plastic Reduction Organizing Meet-Up
2026-04-08 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Detroit) | https://wcif.org/event/plastic-reduction-organizing-meet-up/
If you joined us for a screening of Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics and were inspired to take the next step, or if you haven’t seen the movie but want to join with others to advance action against plastic waste in west central Minnesota, this meet-up is for you!
Meet others engaged with this issue and learn about next steps for a regional group—shaped by your interests and skill sets.
Register for the Zoom meeting.

Legislative Kaffeeklatsch
2026-05-01 07:00 - 08:00 (America/Chicago)
Lakes Country Service Cooperative & West Central Initiative invite you to join us for a virtual Legislative Kaffeeklatsch to hear from our region’s legislators.
Register Today
