Neighborhood parks provide a place to play, relax, and gather. They offer spaces for kids to play catch, for you to walk your dog, or simply enjoy the outdoors with friends.

But did you know these very same parks are also helping to fight climate change?

National Public Radio (NPR) recently shared a story called “Your local park has a hidden talent: helping fight climate change.” The article calls out how valuable these little pieces of nature are.

How? Trees provide shade and remove carbon dioxide from the air, which reduces temperatures. Rain gardens and prairies soak up water when it rains, which prevents flooding.

But these parks can only do this critical work if they are in a healthy condition. Parks overrun by invasive species or suffering from the lack of time and resources to maintain them are circumstances we can change. These very circumstances hinder healthy, thriving ecosystems.

Great River Greening has been working to improve urban green spaces for decades. This year, we are working in the heart of Saint Paul’s Frogtown neighborhood to restore and enhance Frogtown Park’s oak woodlands, pollinator garden, and rain garden.

With funding from the Saint Paul Area Association of Realtors (SPAAR) Charitable Foundation and the Laura Jane Musser Fund, we can step in to support the volunteers and city crew that have been working diligently to maintain and support this green space—giving the park the boost it needs.

As we see more and more articles about the impacts of climate change—and wonder what we can do—it’s helpful to remember that every little green space can make a difference.

You can support this important work by making a gift today.

Contributors: Kateri Routh and Ariene Willkom.
Photo Credits: Frogtown Park & Farm sign (Becca Tucker); Path & Tree at Frogtown Park (Kateri Routh).
Funding/Sponsors: SPAAR Charitable Foundation and the Laura Jane Musser Fund.