The Making
of Missoula’s
Green Team
With 25 Ways to Save Resources for Free
With a few steps, any city or county can make a green team and
start saving resources. Here’s how a staff member in Missoula,
Montana got the ball rolling.
by Jackie Corday
I
n June of 2008, in Missoula, Montana, nator could even be considered, I decided feel the need to participate. Have the
many citizens associated with conser- there must be numerous actions each of Mayor send out an “All Department”
vation groups signed a letter to the the 500+ employees of Missoula could email or memo announcing the for-
Mayor and City Council asking the City to take immediately and at no cost. mation of the team. For example,
hire a Sustainability Coordinator, as many Since there was no budget for staff or here is part of the email our Mayor
other cities have done across the US. The projects, we needed to form a volunteer sent to all employees:
City has been working on becoming in- Green Team and come up with ways to “City Parks would like to form a
creasingly green, but the effort is not co- reduce energy, fuel, water, and product voluntary City employee Green
ordinated; no one person is responsible use that would cost nothing, or very little, Team to look at ways we can
or completely focused on the effort. The to implement. immediately begin to reduce
Mayor responded by telling folks he was I began by researching the Internet energy and product use without
very supportive of the idea, but that it was and talking with people in my commu- expending any money (or very
too late in the budget cycle, and funding, nity who are working on climate change. little). Jackie from Parks will be
due to the recession, was stretched. The Publications and resources from the ICLEI contacting each Department
Mayor also wanted more information, USA Action Center were very helpful, as soon to seek volunteers for a
such as how other cities are paying for was the US Conference of Mayors Best small time commitment (3-4
the position, how much they have been Practices Guide. meetings over the next few
able to save in energy bills, what their months). The meetings will be
job descriptions are, what office they are
Forming a Team
to brainstorm on reduction
housed in, etc. I imagine there are numer- ideas and implementation. I
ous cities in this situation this year – want-
Here are some of the most helpful points
support this effort and hope
ing to become more green but having to
about forming a team:
that many of you are interested
cut budgets and institute hiring freezes.
1. The Mayor’s approval and support
in participating.”
Because it would be at least another
are essential—direction has to come
2. After the email goes out, many employ-
year before hiring a Sustainability Coordi-
from the top for all departments to
ees will contact you asking to be on the
2 of 6 CitiesGoGreen.com © Verde Publishing, Inc.
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