Cool Saint Paul
What is Cool Saint Paul?
Cool Saint Paul is a large-scale, multi-year tree planting initiative led by Great River Greening that aims to reduce the harmful effects of urban heat islands and improve quality of life in Saint Paul communities.
Launched in 2023, Cool Saint Paul will work in partnership with the City of Saint Paul, Saint Paul Public Schools, and community residents, to plant and maintain 200 trees annually on both public and private land in Saint Paul’s heat islands.
In Saint Paul, nearly one third of the city is covered by tree canopy, but that coverage is uneven and inequitable both racial/ethnically and socioeconomically and leaves many neighborhoods within urban heat islands.
Heat islands lead to poor air and water quality, higher energy costs, and an increase in heat-related illnesses, deaths, and negative health outcomes. These impacts will intensify as our climate changes, temperatures rise, and we experience more extreme heat events in Minnesota.
Emerald ash borer (EAB) has also rapidly spread, compounding the problem. In 2021 alone, the City of Saint Paul removed 3,000 ash trees and Saint Paul Public Schools removed 500, many in existing heat islands. Thousands more will be removed by 2024 due to EAB damage.
Why is it important?
What’s the plan?
Cool Saint Paul is a community-led initiative. Our work is grounded in equity and partnership. We thoughtfully engage all stakeholders in developing a comprehensive plan for planting trees, particularly on private property.
Cool Saint Paul also includes planting projects and environmental education for students at Saint Paul Public Schools campuses that lack sufficient tree canopy.
How to get involved
Want to help us plant 200 trees annually? We will host a number of Cool Saint Paul volunteer stewardship events, beginning this fall. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be notified when fall events are scheduled.
Are you interested in donating to support Cool Saint Paul? Make a gift online or contact us for more information.
Cool Saint Paul is generously supported by:
Tree species planted so far:
