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Action 6: engaging the next generation BP 24.6. Engage wide representation of community youth and college students by creating opportunities to participate in citygovernment (including commissions). 24.6 in Action: La Crescent's GreenStep Committee The City of La Crescent achieved Best Practice Action 24.6 at the 3-star level when they added two high school students to their GreenStep Committee. Students were chosen by the High School science faculty, approved by the City Council, and hold regular positions on the team. Jason Ludwigson, City Sustalnablllty Coordlnatorsays that the students "provided valuable feedback, particularly to formulate outreach for the Partners In Energy (PlE) program." PlE is an Xcel Energy grant program that uses local and utility resources to set and meet clean energy goals. Ludwigson continued, "Students' life experiences and views are different from adults, especially when It comes to sustainability. They will experience more of the climate impacts and challenges In the future, so It is important to have their perspectives on the team." La Crescent entered the GreenStep Cities program In 2015 and employed college interns from neighboring cities to great success for the first few years. These part-time student interns helped them organize their GreenStep Committee and set up B3 building benchmarking. Ludwigson said, "depending on the scope of your program and your budget, college interns can be really helpful. They can be most effective if they are enrolled In a degree program specific to sustainability, if they are knowledgeable and passionate, and if they have a mentor." The city has transitloned In recent years to a part- time paid staff person to advance additional objectives. 24