Volunteer planting event kicks off greening of new Trout Brook Sanctuary in Saint Paul

With the massive excavation complete, planting can begin in the new Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary in Saint Paul; it will start with a volunteer event hosted by Great River Greening, The Pohlad Foundation and the Minnesota Twins, this week. More than 100 Pohlad employees will plant 1600 trees and shrubs on seven of the 42 acres being transformed by Saint Paul Parks and Recreation from a rail yard into a natural environment.Greening this brownfield realizes a decades-old community vision to connect the heavily-urbanized North and East side neighborhoods to the Mississippi River.The centerpiece of the transformation is the daylighting of the original Trout Brook stream channel - which was run underground when the railroad was constructed - and the restoration of prairie, savanna, and maple-basswood forest.Great River Greening is taking the lead in partnership with the City of Saint Paul in adding all the vegetation and will engage the community in volunteer planting events over the next few years, as well as youth educational activities at the site.Said Great River Greening Executive Director Deborah Karasov:

Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary originated with neighborhood and civic leaders. Great River Greening wants to build on that, to encourage ownership of this gem, especially with youth and teens. Our volunteer restoration and education events invite people to roll up their sleeves and put their hands in the dirt. The community really feels connected to places they work. We're thrilled to start this enriching endeavor with the Pohlad employees.

Link to a larger image of planIn the News:See video from from MLB.COM"Twins Hope Week 2014 began with Twins personnel and the Pohlad Companies staff planting trees at the Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary"