Please visit our new website and blog!

Be sure to check out TreeTrust's recently redesigned website at www.TreeTrust.org! The new website features tons of helpful information about our job opportunities, who we partner with, what kind of work we do, and how you can get more involved.

The Tree Trust blog will continue to be updated frequently on the new website. Check it out today, and bookmark it for the future!

Tree Trust’s YouthBuild awarded three-year grant from Department of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor announced an award of $772,869 to Tree Trust to continue its YouthBuild program through 2014. Tree Trust is one of only 76 agencies funded nationwide; one of only two in Minnesota.

YouthBuild prepares out-of-school youth for careers through hands-on construction training, and high school completion or General Educational Development programs. Since Tree Trust began operating its YouthBuild program in 2006, nearly 100 young people have participated in their program.

YouthBuild participants include individuals who have been in the juvenile justice system, youth aging out of foster care, high school dropouts and others. In addition to receiving academic and occupational skills training, young people develop leadership skills and participate in community service opportunities. Tree Trust’s YouthBuild program serves Minneapolis youth ages 17-21.

“Every day in America, 7,000 students drop out of high school,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis in a statement. “Our nation cannot afford to lose these young people. YouthBuild provides an important second chance to earn an education while also developing valuable skills for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”

“The funding available nationally this time was less than half of what was available last round, so it is especially satisfying to secure this grant,” said Susan Gethin, Tree Trust’s CEO. “I believe the award reflects the strength of our current program.”

Youth hard at work in May Township, MN

Last month we announced the start of our 2010 summer Youth Conservation Corps program. Nearly 900 youth are hard at work in the Twin Cities. Many of them are working outside - rain or shine - to improve the parks and recreation areas we love to visit when Mother Nature permits.

And local media are taking notice! Check out what the Stillwater Gazette - St. Croix Valley Local News had to say on June 21 and again on June 29 about our crew in Square Lake Regional Park , located in May Township, MN (Washington County). These young people are really making a difference!

Press Release: Green Futures for Minnetrista's Lisle Park

For immediate release: Green Futures for Minnetrista's Lisle Park

Minnetrista, MN - June 4, 2010 - On Saturday, May 22, 2010, Tree Trust staff gathered over 70 community volunteers to plant 120 trees in Minnetrista's Lisle Park as part of Tree Trust's Green Futures initiative. Severe weather rolled in halfway through the event and curtailed the planting, but Tree Trust's Young Adult Conservation Corps finished the job the following Monday.

The planting began with a brief program recognizing the donations to Tree Trust's Green Futures initiative that made the event possible. Many trees were donated in memory of Tree Trust's CEO David Hawes, who passed away in February after a battle with cancer, and his family said a few words about his life-long commitment to Tree Trust and passion for trees.

A workshop followed to teach all volunteers how to plant trees the right way. Trees planted included red maple, Japanese tree lilac, red splendor crabapple, hackberry, basswood, thornless honey locust, black hills spruce and quaking aspen.

After about half the trees were planted, flickers of lightning appeared in the distance and rain started to fall. Many volunteers took shelter in their vehicles to wait out the unsafe weather, but the storm refused to pass. On Monday, a crew of Tree Trust Young Adult Conservation Corps job-trainees worked at the park to plant the remaining trees.

Lisle Park, a 15.5-acre city park on the south side of the Hunters Crest neighborhood, was chosen as a Green Futures planting site through a competitive proposal process. The City of Minnetrista submitted an application to Tree Trust that demonstrated the financial and environmental need for trees in Lisle Park and the City's commitment to ensuring the trees' long-term survival.

This Tree Trust - Green Futures planting was made possible by individual donations, a matching grant from a local family foundation, and a contribution from Cargill, Inc. - BiOH ®polyols division. For additional information or to get involved with Tree Trust's Green Futures, contact Tracie Huhn, Director of Development and Marketing, at tracieh@treetrust.org or 651-644-5800.


Tree Trust is a Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1976 to provide out-of-work individuals with training and paid jobs reforesting the community. They have since expanded to provide integrated employment training, environmental education and community forestry programs to youth and adults in the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota.

The City of Minnetrista is located on the western bays of Lake Minnetonka and the agricultural rich plains and idyllic woodlands of southwestern Hennepin County. The name Minnetrista is derived from the Native American word "minne" meaning waters, and "trista" meaning crooked. The 32 square miles is home to 6,234 residents who enjoy the rural residential and lakeside settings. Whether you're just passing through, or spending some time at one of the enchanting area parks, you will be welcomed in Minnetrista!