Earlier this year, on February 26, Edina welcomed Marisa Bayer as the new Sustainability Manager of the City of Edina’s Sustainability Division. Bayer first encountered sustainability projects while working in the planning and community development field. Through these experiences, Bayer developed a unique perspective to bring to Edina.
Bayer stands out in both the Sustainability Division and the larger engineering department it falls under. “She has a great background; she has technical knowledge, she knows energy systems, energy processes, EV charging, and all the things that sometimes [in] the technical side of sustainability are difficult to find,” Engineering Director Chad Millner said.
After working at Edina for several months, Bayer has thrived in her communication and in the relationships she has built between different divisions and departments. Her acclimation to her workplace comes with her initial and current efforts to connect with people. “The [most important] thing was [building] relationships and connections internally across different city divisions, city departments, city council, the Energy and Environment Commission and then now also starting to engage and build connections with community members as well,” she said.
Those who work with Bayer can attest to the energy she brings to the workplace. “I was just very excited to be able to tap into her knowledge, network, and expertise. She’s a lot of fun to work with. We have a lot of fun in our work which really helps with collaboration,” Sustainability Specialist Matthew Gabb said.
As Bayer continues to work as the Sustainability Manager, she hopes to help Edina move toward the goals outlined by its climate action plan. One of these plans under the climate action plan is the 2030 goal that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45%. With Bayer’s help, the hopes of a greener Edina have become more achievable.
Bayer emphasizes the large impact small actions have as well as the influence held by the community. “Everyone has a role in combating climate change, [actions] as small as turning the lights off when you leave a room. There is a tangible impact to that small action…You all have a role in this work,” she said. Bayer encourages students to ask questions and get engaged with their community. “Complementary to that is students have a lot of power to influence future process and future decision making not only at the local level where I am but at the county, at the state, and at the federal level,” she said.
With every thoughtful choice made, there is the potential for it to reach others, making each action less individual. “I don’t want students to feel disenfranchised or like ‘it’s just me, is this really making an impact?’ The answer is yes. You are making an impact and as you spread, educate and engage these actions with your network, and [that impact] can grow by a lot,” she said.
