Share your sustainability story.  Be awarded for your actions, and help inspire others.

The city of Minnetonka is committed to being a community that values the natural environment, sustainability and actions that lead to a more climate resilient community. The city aims to:

• Be a resilient community that both mitigates and adapts to Minnesota’s changing climate
• Protects, manages and enhances the natural environment
• Promotes community-wide adoption of sustainability and conservation best practices

Sustainable Minnetonka Awards honor Minnetonka residents, businesses and students that embody these values. Those who have taken action to protect the environment, promote the community's economic vitality, and support a climate resilient community are recognized through this program. 

Submit an application or nomination for the 2026 awards. Award recipients will receive a commemorative plaque and formal recognition at a City Council meeting in April. Awarded projects will be highlighted in the community. 

Use the form below to get started.

The Sustainability Commission will select a resident and business for each category. Categories and examples listed below

• Energy: Any project that impacts energy usage or reduction
  • Solar panels
  • Wind energy systems
  • Renewable energy subscriptions
  • Electric vehicles
• Landscape: Projects in which landscape is used to enhance and protect natural resources
  • Turf conversion to native plantings
  • Native tree and shrub planting
  • Soil health improvements
  • Fruit and vegetable gardens
• Waste Reduction: Any project with a focus on reducing waste
  • Food waste reduction
  • Reusing or recycling building materials
  • Single-use plastic reduction
• Water: Projects designed to preserve water systems, or reduce water consumption
  • Rain gardens
  • Permeable pavement
  • Stormwater retention ponds
• Young Adult: a project in any of the categories above completed by someone under 25 years old.

Award Eligibility

• Applicants must have completed the project within the last two years
• Applicants must be at least one of the following:
  • A Minnetonka property owner
  • Tenant of a Minnetonka property (with permission to apply)
  • Student of a school located in Minnetonka
  • Owner of a business located in Minnetonka
  • Nominating a Minnetonka resident or business (with their permission to apply)
• The following projects are not eligible
  • Programs completed under city staff direction
  • Recognized by another city program
  • Completed by city staff, City Council, or other city board and commission members. 

Award timeline

• Application deadline is March 6 at 11:59 p.m.
• Applications will be reviewed by the Sustainability Commission on March 17 at 6 p.m. Applicants are encouraged to attend this meeting
  • Applications will be scored on 
    • Project scale and estimated impact
    • Quantitative data provided
    • Images provided
    • Effort to educate others about the project
• Council will award the winners at the April 20 City Council meeting at 6 p.m.
  • Awardees are encouraged to attend this meeting.