The Morris Model team has received local, state, national, and global recognition for their innovative efforts in West-Central MN. We are thankful for the friends and partners who share our stories of collaboration and resiliency.
In The Press
A Conservative Farm Town Went Green Without Really Trying
Wall Street Journal – July 3, 2024 – Read the Story
Morris is a small Minnesota town with big climate goals
Minnesota Public Radio – August 29, 2023 –
Read the story
“Total Garbage” by Edward Humes
April 2, 2024 – Learn more
As Federal Climate-Fighting Tools Are Taken Away, Cities and States Step Up
New York Times – July 1, 2022 – Read the Story
Leaders in Morris, Minn., Create a Model for Rural Resilience
Institute for Local Self Reliance – February 16, 2022 – Read the Story
Media
City Climate Corner:
Morris MN: A Climate Smart Municipality
City Climate Corner – October 25, 2023 – Listen to the podcast
Twin Cities Public Television Climate Smart: Cities Working Together
Twin Cities Public Television – January 30, 2018 – Watch the video
Awards
2023 Energizing Rural Communities Prize
“This prize, managed by DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), challenges individuals and organizations to develop partnership and financing strategies that support community-driven energy improvement projects in rural or remote communities. The Morris Model Partnership seeks to make Morris a model rural sustainable community through clean energy and community resilience.”
Read the story
2017 Minnesota Climate Adaptation Award
“The awards are presented to individuals, organizations, institutions, and businesses in recognition of their exceptional achievements in leadership, education, research, policies, and
practices that have resulted in development or implementation of climate change adaptation strategies.”
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2016 Clean Energy Community Award
“Eight communities in Minnesota were recognized at the 2016 Clean Energy Community Awards,
sponsored by Commerce. The awards recognize communities that contribute to the state’s clean
energy goals by planning and implementing programs, policies, and technologies that encourage energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy generation.”
Read the story
2024 Energizing Rural Communities Prize
The Morris Model team was recently notified that they were selected as one of the 33 winners in the second phase of the Energizing Rural Communities Prize. The competition was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and includes a $200,000 prize. This is the second Energizing Rural Communities Prize the Morris Model has received. In June of 2023, the Morris Model were among 67 winners in the first phase of the $6.7 million Energizing Rural Communities Prize. Read the story
2015 Environmental Initiative Award for Community Action
“The Environmental Initiative Awards is our annual recognition program that celebrates people and projects working in partnership at the nexus of a healthy environment, a prosperous economy, and an equitable society.”
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Morris Model 