The Greater Minnesota Environmental Trust (GMET) is a non-profit coalition that places sound land use and sustainability at the center of Minnesota’s environment and economic future. GMET invites individuals, cities, counties, businesses, non-profits, and various civic organizations to become members.

GMET’s program is based around the following values:

• Green Jobs and the Economy. Greater Minnesota communities make excellent laboratories of innovation, and they must play an important role in the development of green jobs, new technologies and new strategies that can stimulate the economic health of greater Minnesota.
• Land Use and the Environment. Sound environmental and land use policies will help to preserve Minnesota’s waters, farmland, forests and open space and help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing vehicle miles traveled, making transit systems more feasible, and encouraging healthy communities through more opportunities to walk and bike.
• Energy Conservation and Sustainability. Energy conservation advances and the expanded use of alternative energy sources will lower costs in the public and private sector, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, stimulate economic growth and help secure the state’s energy independence.

GMET plans to accomplish these goals by engaging in the following efforts:

• Policy research, analysis, and development
• Promotion of environmental and land use best practices
• Sponsorship of educational seminars and conferences
• Legal action
• Advocacy at the state level on environmental funding and policy issues