EXCITING NEWS: Great River Greening Awarded $10 Million from USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Grants to Transform Minnesota Communities and Combat Extreme Heat
[Saint Paul, MN] — Great River Greening is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a $10 million grant from the USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Grants, made possible through funding from the federal Inflation Reduction Act. This significant investment will support their groundbreaking program, "Cooling Minnesota Communities (CMC): Expanding Tree Canopies, Empowering Communities, and Increasing Access," which aims to combat extreme heat, enhance climate change resilience, and increase equitable access to tree canopies across the state. The USDA Forest Service awarded more than $1 Billion to 385 entities across the entire United States. Great River Greening’s award for CMC stands out as one of the highest funded programs that brings together 15 partners including five cities, three school districts, and seven nonprofit partners to plant nearly 14,000 trees over the next five years.
Program Overview:
The Cooling Minnesota Communities program is a visionary effort that will have a profound impact on several Minnesota cities, including Saint Paul, Brooklyn Center, Saint Cloud, Faribault, and Owatonna. The primary goal of CMC is to expand and improve urban and community tree canopies in areas experiencing heat islands effects.
Equity and Access:
One of the core principles of the Cooling Minnesota Communities project is to promote equitable access to the benefits of urban and community tree canopies. CMC will achieve this by planting, distributing, and maintaining nearly 14,000 trees on city property, school campuses, public housing or community sites, regional parks, and residential homes. This inclusive approach ensures that all residents can enjoy the cooling benefits of green spaces, regardless of their location or background.
Key components of this ambitious project include:
Tree Planting & Maintenance: Extensive tree planting and multiple years of watering will ensure the growth and vitality of urban and community tree canopies, providing much-needed shade and cooling effects in heat-prone areas.
Restoration & Resilience: The project will enhance the resilience of these communities by restoring natural landscapes, diversifying urban and community tree canopies, and strengthening their ability to withstand extreme heat events.
Planning & Community Engagement: Collaborative planning and community engagement initiatives will empower residents and stakeholders to actively participate in the project, making it a community-driven effort that will increase communal tree stewardship.
Addressing Extreme Heat: As extreme heat events become increasingly common, CMC will serve as a critical response, mitigating the adverse effects of rising temperatures and fostering a healthier, more comfortable environment for all.
Community Input and Equity Focus:
The program’s starting point was a separately funded, in-depth community input process conducted by our partner, Equity Strategies, LLC, a consultant group that specializes in racial, health, and environmental equity. This study is focused specifically on individuals from communities in Saint Paul living in heat islands and is the underpinning of our approach to this proposed effort.
Community Impact:
The $10 million grant from USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Grants, facilitated by the federal Inflation Reduction Act, will enable Great River Greening to make a lasting difference in the lives of Minnesotans. This project will not only create a more comfortable and climate change resilient urban environment but also empower communities to actively engage in preserving their natural surroundings. It aligns with our shared vision of a greener, healthier, and more climate change resilient Minnesota. Our partners include: (Cities) Saint Paul, Brooklyn Center, Saint Cloud, Faribault, Owatonna, (School Districts) Brooklyn Center Community Schools, Osseo Area Schools, Saint Paul Public Schools, (Nonprofits/Agencies) Frogtown Green, Mississippi Park Connection, ReConnect Rondo, St. Paul Public Housing Agency, Tree Trust, Urban Roots and The Nature Conservancy.
For Media Inquiries:
[Kateri Routh] [Executive Director] [Great River Greening] [612-834-4881] [krouth@greatrivergreening.org]
About Great River Greening
Great River Greening is Minnesota’s leader in nature-based climate solutions through land restoration. We restore resilient landscapes, address biodiversity loss, and sequester and store carbon through community-based stewardship. With a strong commitment to community engagement, education, and environmental stewardship, we work tirelessly to create a more sustainable and resilient future for all Minnesotans.
Learn More
For more information about the Cooling Minnesota Communities project, Great River Greening's mission, and funding from the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Grants, contact Kateri Routh – 612-834-4881.