University of Minnesota, Morris Center for Small Towns, has partnered with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and ServeMinnesota to launch a new program- Minnesota GreenCorps. The program aims to protect and preserve Minnesota’s environment while developing the next generation of environmental professionals. The resulting program’s goals are to help communities conserve energy; reduce waste in its many forms; and, through proper recycling and conservation education, reduce the amount of toxic chemicals thrown away. To carry out these goals in the Morris area, the Morris campus appointed four college students to serve as half-time AmeriCorp members with local units of government and schools. The positions were recently  appointed to Chris Droske ’11, Stevens Point, Wisc,; Katie Laughlin ’10, Faribault, Minn,; Ellie McCann ’10, St. Joseph, Minn,; and Sydney Sweep ’11, Bismark, N.D. Unlike other organizations hosting full-time GreenCorps members, Morris campus students- all undergraduates- will fulfill half-time service commitments, collaborating with local organizations like Stevens Forward! and the Prairie Woods Environment Learning Center.