Education and Community Partnerships
Each year, Great River Greening engages thousands of volunteers to work with us, side-by-side, on land close to their homes.
Our community roots run deep, partnering with civic organizations, schools, businesses, non-profits, and government agencies. Over 47,000 volunteers have joined us in the restoration and stewardship of Minnesota’s natural habitats, including 12,000 youth and young adults.
Future Stewards Youth Education
Launched in 2022, Future Stewards is a youth environmental education program serving nearly 300 students each year. Delivered in partnership with K-12 schools, participants engage in hands-on planting, restoration, and stewardship work and while also learning about green careers and the benefits of spending time in nature.
Future Stewards increases student participation in outdoor activities that drive success in school, at home, and in their communities.
2022 Future Stewards accomplishments include:
296 elementary and high school students participated
1,815 native plants installed across three schools
62% of participating students identify as Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, Asian, Latinx, or more than one race
Teachers reported increased engagement and enthusiasm from Future Stewards participants
Are you interested in getting your school involved with Great River Greening? Please fill out this survey to request a consultation. Please contact Jessica Drummond, Naturalist and Outreach Coordinator, with questions.
Future Stewards Partner Schools
The Future Stewards program is made possible by generous funding from an anonymous family foundation, the Mason Family Foundation, and the Opus Foundation.
Cooling Saint Paul Public Schools
Cool Saint Paul, our tree planting initiative that aims to reduce the harmful environmental and health impacts of urban heat islands in St. Paul, is partnering with Saint Paul Public Schools to expand tree canopy on public school campuses. Planting projects are paired with a youth environmental education and stewardship program at campuses lacking tree coverage.
To learn more about Cool Saint Paul and Great River Greening’s partnership with Saint Paul Public Schools, contact Brennan Blue, Environmental Stewardship Director.
Community-led Environmental Equity Work
Great River Greening is leading a community engagement process to gather community input and leadership as Saint Paul seeks to improve its urban tree canopy.
With historic inequities amplified by the ongoing work to remove ash trees infested by emerald ash borer in Saint Paul, there’s never been a more important time to consider the public health impact of trees in our urban neighborhoods. We have partnered with Equity Strategies, LLC to gather diverse stakeholder input to guide Saint Paul’s ongoing tree canopy work.