The Little Steps Cleaner Air campaign is taking its name literally and installing footsteps around the Omaha metro area this week that inspire residents to make small, yet impactful, changes to improve our air quality.

With the word “steps” in our name, how could we not?

Omaha, We Have a Problem

Little Steps Cleaner Air is organized around the idea that each of us has the power to help reduce ground-level ozone and improve our air quality. The unfortunate reality is ozone on the ground continues to be a health hazard in our area. Readings in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area hover close to the EPA’s unacceptable, or “non-attainment,” level, especially on hot summer days.

The Little Steps Cleaner Air outreach campaign, is managed by the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA), and funded by grants from the Federal Highway Administration and the Nebraska Environmental Trust. It offers easy ways for all metro-area residents to do their part to improve our air quality.

“By seeing the footstep messages about taking little steps – like walking, taking public transportation and using bio fuels – out in the environment, the ideas will be reinforced and more top-of-mind for everyone. After all, we all share the same air,” said MAPA Information Officer Sue Cutsforth.

Steps Near You

The vinyl footsteps are not exactly little – they’re about twice the size of the average American’s foot. Each set contains 10 steps, and we’ve created 10 versions with entertaining, yet informative, rhymes inspired by the tongue-in-cheek Burma Shave signs.

The steps will be installed on sidewalks throughout high foot traffic areas, like the Old Market, Benson, Midtown Crossing, Village Pointe, Blackstone, Aksarben, the 100 Block in Council Bluffs, three YMCA locations (Downtown, Butler-Gast and Southwest), two Boys & Girls Club locations (North Omaha Club and South Omaha Club), UNO, and others. People are encouraged to post their little steps actions on social media using the #SharetheAir and #LittleStepsBigImpact hashtags.