The League of Minnesota Cities recognized Austin as one of 47 member cities Thursday for its participation in GreenStep Cities, a free and voluntary program designed to help cities achieve their environmental sustainability goals through 28 best practices.

The Austin City Council adopted GreenStep Cities practices last year, forming a Sustainability Task Force last October to work toward environmentally sustainable projects. The city has previously discussed using LED lighting throughout the city to decrease energy bills and waste.

Cities can implement each best practice by completing one or more of a list of four to eight actions in the areas of transportation, buildings and lighting, environmental management, land use, and economic and community development. Those actions are tailored to all types of cities and focus on cutting costs, reducing energy use, and encouraging innovation.

Cities achieve Step One recognition by passing a resolution to become a GreenStep City. Step Two cities have implemented up to eight of the program’s best practices, and Step Three cities have implemented up to 16. A number of cities have completed two of the three steps within a year, including Austin.

The League also recognizes the 18 cities that were honored at Step One or Step Two completion last year and continue to participate in the program. A summary of cities’ notable accomplishments is available at greenstep.pca.state. mn.us/allCities.cfm.