A Milestone in the Climate Fight: 10 Million Trees Planted in Minnesota
The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota
Conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends – globally, and in Minnesota.
On a warming planet, trees are a climate hero. When planted correctly, trees can help forests adapt to a warming climate. Their carbon-storing power is a vital natural climate solution—using the simple carbon-converting process of photosynthesis to help prevent the worst effects of climate change.???
In Minnesota, The Nature Conservancy is using trees to strengthen the front lines of the climate fight. Since 2005, TNC has helped plant 10 million trees across the state.??
In the last few years, we have significantly ramped up our tree planting efforts. In fact, in 2024, we planted a whopping 2.3 million trees, shattering our record set in 2023 of 1.4 million. This year, our crews planted more than 30,000 trees in state parks, including Tettegouche, Temperance River and Cascade River. We planted along eight miles of Highway 61, the iconic road along the North Shore, in the Chippewa and Superior national forests, and along more than 20 miles of streams that drain into Lake Superior.?
This accomplishment would not be possible without the hard work of 65 seasonal guest workers who came from Guatemala and Honduras in 2024 to plant trees and help us meet our goals. Guest workers have planted or tended to 175 million acres of forest in the U.S. in the last 30 years – an area the size of Texas.?
This work is far from complete. We plan to work with partners to vastly increase tree planting in Minnesota across more than a million acres of forest and open lands that were formerly forested. To accomplish this goal, we need to increase the supply of diverse and climate-resilient seedlings. We’re taking a three-pronged approach: advocating at the state legislature for funding and improvements to the State Nursery, working with private nurseries to increase seedling supply and working with Minnesota farmers to increase the seedling supply and give them an additional source of income. ?
Stay up to date on our forest work by signing up for Minnesota Nature News emails.?
President of Professional Communique Consultants/Sound -American
7 个月Thanks for sharing
Carer unpaid, Citizen Soil Scientist.
7 个月Well done ecowarriors, however trees create services, they help stabilise soil e.g., against erosion, create habitats for insects and microorganisms. So: 1, erosion control- root systems of trees along with other plants and fungi control soil movement. 2, carbon sequestration - along with microorganisms and plants, carbon is stored in these sinks. 3, cooling effect - trees, shrubs and plants that cover the soil which stops soil from drying out. 4, the building of fresh organic matter - trees and plants leave fresh organic residues in which add to the soil and the subsequent food web from the basic upwards. All these because of reforesting and good land management.
Way to go Minnesota!!