NativeGreen
The relationship between the Dakota people and Uŋcí Maká (Grandmother Earth) is both sacred and a kinship, and together we strive to be good stewards of the earth for future generations.
NativeGreen is the SMSC’s environmental stewardship program, which focuses on protecting the environment through recycling and waste reduction, sustainable infrastructure, efficient water use, and land restoration across the tribal nation and the broader community.
Solar Power
The SMSC has installed more than 300 solar panels around the reservation and soon that number will double as more SMSC enterprises and departments receive additional solar panels. Skylights are also utilized in several SMSC buildings—ranging from the fire station to the Dakotah! Ice Center—which complement the solar panels by reducing daytime energy usage.
Green Roofs
Green roofs are primarily built to retain stormwater but prairie grasses, sedum, flowers, wetland species, and pollinators can be found thriving among the rooftop vegetation of the SMSC’s Water Reclamation Facility and Dakotah! Ice Center.
Did you know that the SMSC has nearly 63,000 square feet of green roof space?
In 2006, the SMSC constructed what was then the largest green roof in the upper Midwest. The Water Reclamation Facility is home to a 30,200-square-foot green roof and contains more than 45,000 native plants.
Then in 2008, the SMSC completed construction on their largest green roof to date, on the ice arena at Dakotah! Sport and Fitness. The nearly 33,000-square-foot green roof contains more than 50,000 native plants.
Both green roof systems return significant amounts of water back into the atmosphere through evaporation and transpiration, mitigate the urban heat island effect through shading and evaporative cooling, and help prevent flash flooding. During dry spells, the plant life on the roof is supported using reclaimed wastewater. The green roofs also have an extended roof life because they are protected from ultraviolet radiation. A typical roof will last about 12 years; a green roof is designed to last 50 years.
Charging Stations
As a means to promote electric vehicle use, the SMSC offers several free electric vehicle chargers throughout the Community for employees, guests and Community Members. Charging stations are level 2 chargers by both Chargepoint and Tesla. Additionally, the SMSC is working to electrify its fleet by transitioning all vehicles, from lawn mowers to box trucks, to EVs.
Dakota Prairie Composting
Dakota Prairie — Composting is an enterprise owned and — operated by the SMSC. At Dakota Prairie Composting, organic materials -like paper, food, and yard waste are recycled from residential, commercial, and municipal customers. Then, the facility crafts a nutrient-rich, natural fertilizer for gardening, farming, landscaping and more. The facility also processes wood to be used as mulch and a renewable energy source.
Hydronics Plant
The new hydronic system will provide heating and cooling to the SMSC by pumping heated and chilled water through our rooftop units. Utilizing hydronic technology, we will be replacing our older heating and cooling systems which utilize R-22 and R410A refrigerants which are proven to be damaging to our ozone layer. Approximately 6,000 pounds of refrigerant will be removed as part of the project.
The project will also result in an approximate power consumption reduction of 10% while providing a more stable and consistent temperature across our gaming floor.