Minnesota GreenCorps member Kallan Sandahl has joined host-site West Central Initiative (WCI) to serve the region through August 2022. Kallan will be assisting WCI on planning Safe Routes to School in the Hancock and Underwood School Districts.

“The opportunity to help communities in west central Minnesota reduce their environmental impact is very exciting. I’m looking forward to helping encourage children to safely travel under their own power and incorporate physical activity into their lives.”

Minnesota GreenCorps member Kallan Sandahl

Minnesota GreenCorps is an AmeriCorps program. This goal of this statewide initiative is to help preserve and protect Minnesota’s environment while training a new generation of environmental professionals. The program blends government resources with civic engagement to encourage community action that will reduce waste, save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve water and air quality. Members serve at local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions across the state in one of four focus areas: air pollutant reduction; community readiness and outreach; green infrastructure improvements; and waste reduction, recycling, and organics management.

Funding is provided through a grant from ServeMinnesota, AmeriCorps, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Participating host-site organizations also provide in-kind resources.

“We’re excited to have Kallan joining the WCI team,” said Wayne Hurley, Director of Transportation Planning at WCI. “This is the second year in a row that we’ve had a Minnesota GreenCorps member serving with us, and we’re thankful to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for their partnership. Kallan will be working on a variety of Safe Routes to School and Active Transportation projects that will make it easier for people of all ages to walk and bike throughout the region.”

Sandahl recently graduated from the University of Minnesota, Morris, with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. She is a native of Fergus Falls, which helped shape her love of the environment. “When I was younger, I loved swimming in lakes and playing in the beautiful prairies and post-glacial landscapes that West Central Minnesota offers,” Kallan said. “I chose my major because I hope to preserve these landscapes for future generations to enjoy as much as I did.”