The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin has been widely praised for its world-renowned forest management practices, which reflect a deep commitment to conservation. Covering 95% of their reservation, the Menominee forests produce some of the most sought-after hardwoods, pines, and hemlocks in the Great Lakes region. These forests boast 46 different timber varieties that are carefully managed to ensure sustainability for future generations. This approach has earned the Tribe respect throughout the state and beyond for its constant protection of the environment.

Jason Nett of Alliant Energy summed it up, stating: "The Menominee Indian Tribe has a long history of environmental stewardship and sustainability that’s well respected not only in the tribal communities but also throughout the state and the region."

In the last nine years, the Menominee Tribe has embarked on a transformative journey toward energy efficiency. In partnership with Focus on Energy** and Alliant Energy, the Tribe has completed 67 energy efficiency improvements since 2016. These initiatives include:

• LED lighting upgrades
• Occupancy sensor installations
• HVAC improvements

This infrastructure modernization represents a strategic effort to reduce energy waste, lower carbon footprints, and save costs for the community. Over the last two years, the Menominee completed 12 whole-building lighting upgrade projects, which have saved an estimated $16,000 annually on their energy bills. As a result, the Tribe is reducing its dependence on propane and electricity while creating a more sustainable energy future for its members.

James Corn, the Tribal Facilities Director, expressed the importance of these efforts: "Our biggest thing for the Tribe is everybody speaks about the carbon footprint. This is one of the biggest ways we can change that by getting off propane gas… like getting away from spending all this money on electricity all the time."

In recognition of these remarkable achievements, the Menominee Tribe has been honored with a 2024 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award. The Tribe's dedication to creating a sustainable future while honoring the legacy of their ancestors provides substantial energy savings; savings equivalent to providing electricity to 1,197 tribal homes for one year or planting 100,000 trees a decade ago, significantly reducing CO2 emissions in the atmosphere.

"Energy efficiency is more than just some abstract objective, said Gena Kakkak, Chairwoman of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. “It’s the responsibility that we all share and the commitment to our staff. So as a long-term forward-thinking approach, it helps promote our sustainability efforts."

The Menominee Tribe shows no signs of slowing down in their energy-saving efforts. Since taking on the role of Facilities Manager in December 2022, James Corn has been instrumental in driving the Tribe’s energy efficiency projects forward. In 2023 alone, the Tribe received over $21,500 in incentives from Focus on Energy, which helped them achieve over 130,000 kWh in energy savings. These financial incentives, along with special project planning bonuses, have been vital in enabling the Menominee Tribe to undertake more projects, with 12 additional LED lighting upgrades planned for 2024.

The success of these projects also highlights the importance of partnerships. The collaboration between the Menominee Tribe, Focus on Energy, and Alliant Energy serves as a model for how external support can drive energy efficiency initiatives within communities. These partnerships help ensure that even financially stretched communities can access the resources they need to make lasting energy-saving improvements.