Energy and Climate Protection
A partnership that uses innovative approaches or technology to improve air quality, reduce energy use or protect the climate by reducing energy consumption, promoting greenhouse gas reductions, and/or reducing or eliminating criteria pollutants.

Environmental Education
A partnership working to actively educate youth or adult audiences on environmental issues, in formal or non-formal settings.

Green Building and Development
A partnership that demonstrates a commitment to efficient and sustainable building practices or use of land, accounting for economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and enhanced social fabric of affected communities.

Green Business and Environmental Management
A partnership designed to implement sustainable solutions to the challenges of reducing the environmental footprint of business activities, or a partnership providing solutions to environmental problems through the creation of a successful business. The project should contribute to environmental stewardship and competitive advantage.

Natural Resource Protection and Restoration
A partnership designed to implement sustainable solutions to preserve, protect and/or restore Minnesota’s land, water, biological diversity, and other natural resources.