Brooklyn Center is working with Great River Greening to expand and improve the city’s urban tree canopy by planting and watering trees – including climate-resilient species – and distributing free trees to community members. This initiative is part of Great River Greening’s groundbreaking program, Cooling Minnesota Communities (CMC), which aims to combat extreme heat, enhance climate change resilience and improve equitable access to high-quality tree canopies across the state. 

The goal of this project is to create a more livable and resilient urban environment while also empowering the community to actively engage in preserving their natural surroundings. A healthy and diverse tree canopy will reduce the impacts of urban heat island effect and provide much-needed shade and cooling effects in heat-prone areas.

This initiative is made possible through funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, the USDA Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, and additional tree canopy improvements are being funded by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).

Great River Greening is Minnesota’s leader in nature-based climate solutions through land restoration. The organization restores resilient landscapes, addresses biodiversity loss, and sequesters and stores carbon through community-based stewardship. With a strong commitment to community engagement, education, and environmental stewardship, Great River Greening works tirelessly to create a more sustainable and resilient future for all Minnesotans.

Visit their website to learn more and get involved!