Health & Environmental Justice

We seek to sustain a healthy, equitable, and environmentally just neighborhood. In the past year, we organized for renewable energy by holding a public forum on solar power and racial justice, advocating to local elected officials, and connecting West Siders to solar cooperatives. We crafted a summer series centering local Black, Indigenous, and People of color healers and artists. We strengthened community connections through sharing free seeds, crafts, marigolds, and veggies. There are many opportunities to organize with us! To learn more, contact Ellie at [email protected].

community garden meeting

Health & Environmental Justice Action Circle

Every month, join other neighbors who are passionate about health and the environment to share your ideas, learn about upcoming projects, and make a difference here on the West Side.

Community Solar Power team

We're organizing for community cooperative solar! This is a great opportunity to lower your utility bill while helping the environment. There are many ways to get involved:

Transfer your energy source from fossil fuel to solar through a community solar cooperative (ask us how!)
Organize with us to build solar on the schools! In partnership with MN350, the St. Paul Federation of Educators, and other community partners, we are hoping to build new community cooperative solar that West Siders can benefit from.
Affordable housing goes solar: do you live in, or manage, an affordable housing unit? Connect with us to learn more about incentives for adding solar to your building!
Check out a reportback from our Racial Justice and Solar Power gathering!

Good Hearts Gatherings

In the summer of 2021, we held a weekly space for self care, community care, connection with the land, healing. Good Hearts Gatherings helped West Siders to connect with diverse activities to deepen our wellbeing and connectedness.

The Marigold project

In the Spring of 2021, WSCO and the West Side Seed Library partnered to distribute marigold seeds and "Winter Sowing" grow kits to West Side residents. Throughout the summer, community members stayed in touch to show us the progress of the flowers, and in the Fall, folks picked many blooming flowers and donated them to our community dyeing project. At the Marigold Celebration, held on 76 Baker St. E, people could dye yarn, along with other marigold activities. Volunteers led stations to make a Georgian spice blend using dried, ground marigolds; make a calendula oil infusion; learn about seed saving; and walk a marigold labyrinth built by OWL (Open World Learning) students. In addition, community partners such as DANZA, Youth Farm, and the Riverview Library joined to share other cultural uses for the marigolds, such as the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) altars and remembering those we've lost. It was a beautiful community gathering and activation of WSCO's plot of land.

The West Side Seed Library will be opening again at the Riverview Library in February 2022.