Work With Tree Trust This Summer!

Tree Trust has many employment opportunities this summer. If you are interested in working outdoors on a landscape crew, Tree Trust may have the job you're looking for!

Summer Youth Employment Program

This program is for lowincome and at-risk youth ages 14-21 from Dakota, Washington and Hennepin Counties (not Minneapolis) and provides an opportunity for many young people to have their "first job." This is a 9-week, part-time (average 20 hours per week) program that pays $7.25 per hour and is perfect for youth who plan to return to school in the fall. Most jobs are outdoors with the Youth Conservation Corps and involve building environmental improvement projects like retaining walls and staircases, and doing landscape projects like  erosion control and trail maintenance. There are also limited individual placement opportunities in Dakota County with local businesses and other organizations for positions that include administrative, retail, customer service, and janitorial work.

Please note that this program does not serve youth from Minneapolis, Saint Paul or Ramsey County. If you live in Minneapolis you must apply through the STEP-UP program. We will not work in Saint Paul this year, but if you are seeking a job there, please see the Youth Job Corps website.

  

Applications are available on our website, and as in past years, program participants are chosen through a lottery system. The program is NOT first come, first served so  as long as you complete an application and submit it (online or by mail) by March 21 and meet the eligibility requirements for the program, your application will be considered. This is a popular program and we do not have enough positions for all youth who will apply, so there is no guarantee that you will get a job with Tree Trust.

Young Adult Conservation Corps

This program is for low income and at risk young people ages 18-21. It is an opportunity to gain real life work experience in a supportive setting. This program is more intensive than the Summer Youth Employment Program. It is 39 hours per week for 12 weeks on an entry-level crew. Successful participants have the opportunity to continue for another three months on the advanced crew, and following that for three more months as an intern. These promotions are merit-based and not all participants will continue beyond the entry-level stage.

There is a 3-month cohort that begins on March 11, and another that will begin in June. If you're not returning to school next fall, this program is a better fit for you than the Summer program since you have the opportunity to advance to the next level in the fall and continue your job with Tree Trust. If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please view the learn more and fill out an application. Employment is not guaranteed.

Crew Leader for the Summer Youth Employment Program

If you enjoy working in the outdoors and have a passion for youth development, consider applying to be a crew leader with the Summer Youth Employment Program this year. You must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED and two years of work experience. Learn more about the requirements of the job here and apply if it looks like a good fit for you.

Changes to the Summer Youth Employment Program

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) will undergo some changes for the summer of 2013. If you have participated in the past or are familiar with the program, make sure you read the following article because some of the changes will affect all program participants.

Application
Tree Trust is going from a paper application to an online application. The application will be available on our website, www.treetrust.org, on February 19, 2013. The online system will make it easier and quicker for participants to get their applications completed and in to us on time. It will also help ensure accuracy of entries into our system. If you don't have internet access or would prefer to complete a paper application, please email Allyson or call 952-767-3880 to have one mailed to you.

Hennepin County
Suburban Hennepin County participants will no longer be offered Individual Employment Experiences. The only jobs available in suburban Hennepin County will be crew member positions on the Youth Conservation Corps.

Dakota County
The program in Dakota County will be offered as in previous years with Individual Employment Experiences for participants who are 16-21 as well as the Youth Conservation Corps for ages 14-21.

Washington County
The program will remain the same in Washington County with only Youth Conservation Corps positions available.

Saint Paul
Tree Trust will not work in Saint Paul this year, so for participants of the Saint Paul Youth Job Corps, you will no longer see Tree Trust as an option for employment.

Minneapolis
If you live in Minneapolis, as in previous years you must apply through the STEP-UP program and your application must be received by STEP-UP by March 4, 2013.

This article only covers the changes that have been made to the program since last year. If you are unfamiliar with the program or need more information, visit our website, email info@treetrust.org, or call 952-767-3880 to learn more.

Participate in Give to the Max Day!

Give to the Max Day is on Thursday, November 15. Consider making a contribution to support Tree Trust's employment training, community forestry, and environmental education programs this year.

Give to the Max is a great way to see the impact that your gift can have when it's joined with the gifts made by thousands of other people on the same day. Learn more about Give to the Max Day and make a contribution to Tree Trust or another great nonprofit on November 15. 

End of Summer at Tree Trust

Though the summer isn't technically over yet, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of the season for most Minnesotans. At Tree Trust, our summer season ends in August with the completion of the Summer Youth Employment Program, the summer cohort of the Young Adult Conservation Corps, and the YouthBuild advanced crew. All of the youth employment training programs work with youth in the summer months, and some work with youth year-round.

Summer is a busy time of year for our youth programs. Youth who are not in school for the summer have more time on their hands and greater need of guidance and positive activities than they do during the school year. Every summer for the past 36 years, Tree Trust has been here to provide youth with work experience, educational enrichment, and a paycheck for their summer work experience. 

So while most Minnesotans have been out enjoying the summer, Tree Trust staff have been here helping our participants find positive direction. Now that summer is closing and many of our youth participants have returned to school, we take a little time to catch our breath before we hit the ground running with fall forestry events, new crews of YouthBuild and Young Adult Conservation Corps (YACC) youth, and just generally preparing for the upcoming 2013 year.

By October, we’ll have nearly 50 youth participating with YouthBuild and YACC crews and Community Forestry has a busy autumn with Green Futures and Learning with Trees plantings. Thanks to all who have provided funding for Green Futures plantings this year – and especially to our anonymous donor who matches all of these contributions. 

Public plantings will be held in parks in Eden Prairie and Fridley in early October. Learning with Trees projects at schools in Orono and Brooklyn Park are being funded by CenterPoint Energy and Beim Foundation. We will also work with Wells Fargo and their volunteer team and a generous anonymous donor to plant more trees in selected parts of tornado-damaged North Minneapolis.

Tree Trust had a busy summer working with over 600 youth, and the break between seasons is short as we shift gears and move into our fall projects starting... now.

Youth Conservation Corps

There have been some questions on social media lately regarding the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) and the work that Tree Trust participants do in public spaces around the metro – primarily public park and recreation areas and the Midtown Greenway.

This work, which is enhancing public spaces and benefiting the community at minimal cost to the municipalities, is being done by the Tree Trust Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), which is part of the Summer Youth Employment Program. The majority of program participants are 14-17 years old and this program provides a first job experience to these youth, all of which have special needs, are low-income, or have other at-risk characteristics.

Youth build projects in Twin Cities parks and recreation areas such as retaining walls, stairways, timber edgers, and paver pathways. This program provides a learning experience that youth would not otherwise have and provides them an opportunity to spend 16-24 hours per week being positively involved in their communities.

In addition to providing worthwhile enhancements to public spaces, the projects that YCC participants build are a means to an end; they provide the method by which youth learn teamwork, accountability, and responsibility, as well as landscaping and construction skills. Youth are learning these skills while on the job and do not work as quickly as experienced adults. Additionally, they cannot operate power tools or heavy equipment, which significantly speed up projects at many construction sites where trained adults work.

As the Youth Conservation Corps is a job training program, youth do not work the entire time they are on a job site. In addition to their projects, youth participate in TeamTech lessons via laptop computers at work sites that allow them the opportunity to earn high school credit. These lessons are taught by trained instructors. Additionally, Tree Trust abides by all labor laws and provides water and lunch breaks according to regulations.

Tree Trust has worked closely with parks departments and municipalities all over the metro for 36 years. These partners provide projects to participants that fit the skill set of inexperienced workers and can be finished in the nine weeks that the program operates each summer. Additionally, parks departments and municipalities provide only the materials for the project and do not pay Tree Trust or its participants for their time. The projects are supervised by trained adults and meet Tree Trust's, and our partners', high standards. 

Please visit our Facebook page to view project photos or our website to learn more. If you have specific questions, please feel free to call our office at 952-767-3880.

Youth Conservation Corps picnics

Tree Trust will recognize and honor participants from our Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), which is a sub-program of the Summer Youth Employment Program, at five picnics in the metro area this week and next week. This summer, the program served more than 300 at-risk, special needs and low-income youth, ages 14-21, from the Twin Cities metro area.

Throughout the nine week program, participants have made improvements to local parks and recreation areas in Minneapolis and Saint Paul and in Hennepin, Washington and Dakota counties. The Youth Conservation Corps provides a summer employment experience to participating youth, and also helps participants to create lasting, positive changes in their communities and in their own lives.

Working from June to August, Youth Conservation Corps crews completed numerous improvement projects in approximately 25 Twin Cities parks and recreation areas, including the Midtown Greenway, Como Park, Westwood Hills Nature Center, French Regional Park, Square Lake Park, and North Valley Park. The picnics will be held to celebrate the accomplishments of these youth, including the presentation of Governor’s Awards to a number of youth who demonstrated outstanding leadership on their crews.

View photos of projects and participants on our Facebook page!

Summer Projects

Tree Trust's Summer Youth Employment Program is working in parks and recreation areas all over the metro. We have been out taking photos to document the progress of some of the projects. Have a look at some of the work that young people are doing in your neighborhood!

Father Hennepin Park 6.28.12

Father Hennepin Park 7.5.12

Crews at Father Hennepin Park in Minneapolis are building a tiered retaining wall along side a staircase that was build by Tree Trust crews last year.

Three Rivers French Park 6.20.12

Crews at Three Rivers French Park in Plymouth are doing a construction paver installation.

McMurray Fields 6.28.12

Crews at McMurray Fields in Saint Paul are building a retaining wall.

Midtown Greenway 6.28.12

Midtown Greenway 6.28.12

Crews along the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis are building a retaining wall along the bike path.

North Valley Park 6.29.12

Crews at North Valley Park in Inver Grove Heights are building a 33-step timber staircase at the disc golf course.

Schmidt Lake Park 6.20.12

Schmidt Lake Park 6.20.12

Crews at Schmidt Lake Park in Plymouth are building a retaining wall at a playground.

The Summer Youth Employment program has youth crews working all over the metro on the Youth Conservation Corps. Keep an eye out and perhaps you'll see some of their work up close! We will continue to document their projects over the course of the 9-week program. See more photos on our Facebook page.

Summer Youth Employment Program Session Starts

YCC crews building a boardwalk

IP youth at job site

The Summer Youth Employment Program will employ 604 youth, many of whom will begin work on Monday, June 18. Half of youth involved in the program are part of the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) and each youth is part of an 8-person crew that works 2-3 days per week. Crews are assigned to one of 19 job sites in Dakota, Hennepin, or Washington Counties, or in Minneapolis and Saint Paul parks. From 8am to 4pm crews work as a team to complete trail maintenance work, construct timber walls and stairs, install pavers, and construct retaining walls, and assorted other environmental improvement projects, all while earning wages.

The other half of youth participating in the program are placed in businesses, nonprofits, schools, libraries, and governmental agencies in Hennepin and Dakota Counties. Through these Individual Placements youth gain skills in retail, customer service, childcare, custodial, administrative, and assorted other types of work.

Not only do youth in both parts of the program gain transferable skills to take with them to future jobs, but the community benefits too. Residents near the job sites see improvements in their parks and recreation areas. Businesses also benefit through the assistance of young people who are eager to work.

Youth employed by the Summer Youth Employment Program are 14-21 years old and must meet eligibility requirements. Learn more about the program here. Applications were due in early April and youth were selected for positions by lottery in May. Over 1,130 applications were received with 53% of youth receiving jobs.

YCC began in 1976 and is Tree Trust's longest-standing program. It continues to serve young people across the Twin Cities to better prepare our youth for future careers.

Work for Tree Trust this summer!

Want to work outside this summer?  Looking for a chance to better your community and earn a paycheck? Work for Tree Trust this summer as a summer crew leader or a participant.

PARTICIPANT

Are you a young person who meets Tree Trust's eligibility guidelines? Are you ready for your first work experience? Tree Trust's Summer Youth Employment Program provides paid job training and a chance to earn high school credit over the summer. Make friends, learn new skills, earn spending money, and build confidence in yourself! We have opportunities for youth who want to work outside on crews doing landscape and environmental improvement projects and opportunities for youth who would rather work indoors in retail, childcare, administrative and other positions. Learn more and apply here. 

Don't forget that applications for the Summer Youth Employment Program must be postmarked by Monday, April 9, 2012. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Contact felecias@treetrust.org with any questions.

CREW LEADER

Summer Youth Employment Program crew

Do you want to spend the summer working outside with local youth? Tree Trust’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is an up-to-ten-week paid work experience designed to help young people learn and practice basic job skills. Crew leaders lead two crews of eight youth in outdoor work, building physically challenging projects like staircases and retaining walls for parks and community spaces. Applicants must be willing to work in all types of summer weather and must be committed to working the entire summer. Learn more here.

Applications must be submitted by April 27, 2012. Contact karlyt@treetrust.org with any questions or to submit an application.

Impressions of 2011 - Youth Conservation Corps

Each year, there seems to be a unique event that adds definition and complexity to the Youth Conservation Corps program. This year’s challenge: the State of Minnesota government shutdown that occurred just one week into the program.

Youth work on a staircase at Theo Wirth Golf Course

The impacts of the shutdown spread quickly through the program. Some positions were suspended, some youth had to change work sites, and some were not able to start at all – either way, disruption was felt. Most of our youth were able to start work again after the shutdown ended. Once they began work, the extremely hot and wet weather conditions challenged even the most dedicated workers. But attendance rates remained high and spirits even higher, amazing projects were completed and staff worked hard and creatively to minimize impacts on youth. 

While challenging, disruptive and disappointing at times, there is no question that the program achieved success. This was evident in the youth as well as the projects they completed. In the end, those that had the opportunity to continue working gained valuable skills and a better understanding of how bigger picture events can and will impact their lives. There is no question that the shutdown and the obstacles that resulted strengthened the program and our commitment to the youth we serve.

– Felecia Schmidt, YCC Program Coordinator

Winter Program Highlights

To an outsider, it appears that the slowest time of year at Tree Trust is the winter. Our Community Forestry department holds planting events in the spring and fall in order to work in ideal weather conditions for young trees, and our Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) works with participants in the summer since they are in school for the rest of the year. 

We may not have as many program participants and volunteers in the winter, but that does not mean that winter is slow for our staff. Those programs involve a lot of planning and evaluation throughout the rest of the year in order to improve them and provide participants and volunteers with the best possible experience.

Additionally, Tree Trust has many other programs that involve participants year-round. Highlights from some of those programs follow:

Young Adult Conservation Corps (YACC)

• YACC's graduation ceremony was held on December 2nd; 13 young adults graduated from the program
• A new YACC cohort began on December 6th and will involve 16 young adults in on-the-job training in landscape and construction, as well as employment soft skills
• A new crew leader has also been hired, but has not yet begun work with Tree Trust

Youth Development Services (YDS)

• YDS has a new case manager; Sally Murphy started on November 14th
• Sally will be working with youth in Eden Prairie and Brooklyn Center High Schools to help youth with education, employment, and life skills

YouthBuild

• YouthBuild youth participants have been busy restoring and rehabbing homes and apartment buildings in North Minneapolis
• Participants are currently working to replace the roof of a home that was affected by the May 22nd tornado

All of our programs provide meaningful experiences for youth and adults, whether they are program participants or volunteers. No matter the season, there is never a dull day at Tree Trust. If you would like further information about any of our programs, please visit our website. For regular updates, follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.

In his own words.

Read this compelling letter written last week by a 17 year-old participant of our Youth Conservation Corps program.

Dear Maple Grove Community,

My name is Evan. In these times of economic instability, I would almost certainly not be employed without Tree Trust. After being referred to the program by one of my teachers at Maple Grove Senior High, I decided to apply to the program, and on the second year, I was accepted. Tree Trust is a program designed to employ high-risk youths and teach them about and prepare them for the expectations of the adult work world. When I went to the job site on my first day of work, I was fairly nervous, wondering what kind of people I would be working for and with, whether or not I would fit in or work to the expectations. As it turned out, these worries were unfounded; my co-workers are, more often than not, kind and respectful, and my crew leader, Jeff, is lighthearted, competent, and tolerant of a lack of experience (that doesn’t mean he lets us slack off, though!).

The first project I worked on was a wood-and-paver grill patio at Hennepin Park. This was important because, at the time, the Fourth of July was fast approaching, and the park was soon to see a great amount of use. It was there that I learned the ropes of the job and got to know the people I was to work with. The next major project I worked on was a wood-and paver staircase at the Elm Creek Park Reserve, which was a necessary replacement for a dangerously slippery mud slope. Not only would the stair case make the park a safer place, but will also give it a maintained, polished look. The staircase may also emphasize the path as an accepted route, rather than bare streak left by park goers looking for a shortcut, which may in turn cause more people to make use of more parts of the park.

To me, this job is admittedly one of the few things I do that are not purely selfish. I cannot be truly satisfied with myself if I act solely in my own favor, and these projects provide me with the sense of achievement and contribution that is, in reality, one of my greatest pleasures. I am not necessarily proud of my work, but that I do work. I care little what I built, but instead that I built. I do hope, however, that what I built does see good use. If what I built is useless, what, then, have I contributed? So, please, feel free to make use of the Tree Trust projects, or the projects of any other such organizations, whenever you wish, for the greatest payment of any worker is to know the difference he has made.

Sincerely,
Evan B.

Shutdown ends. Summer program resumes.

Three critical things happened this week: a state budget was approved, the government shutdown ended, and we were notified of funding awards for our summer Youth Conservation Corps program. As a result, we have been able to resume most of the summer programming that had been suspended or delayed during the government budget crisis.

We are pleased to have the majority of our youth participants back to work. However we are disappointed by the negative effects of the state budget impasse on the youth we serve. For the hundreds of young people whose jobs were temporarily suspended or cancelled entirely, they lost wages, the opportunity to have a work and character-building experience, and a chance to engage in something positive in their own communities.

We invite you to stop by the remaining work sites at Twin Cities parks and tell our summer crews what their hard work means to your community. For a list of current locations, please contact Tracie at 952.767.3881 or tracieh@treetrust.org.

State shutdown affects Tree Trust

Youth Conservation Corps
More than 600 youth were scheduled to start their summer jobs with Tree Trust’s Youth Conservation Corps program in June. These youth expected to participate in a nine-week program that would provide them with job skills, wages, and an opportunity to earn high school credits.

However, this plan was interrupted when an agreement on the Minnesota state budget was not reached.

Funding from the state and federal government accounts for approximately 85 percent of what is needed to operate the Youth Conservation Corps program. The lack of an approved state budget, subsequent funding agreements, and the shutdown of several state offices forced Tree Trust to make some difficult decisions.

We have gone to great lengths to minimize expenses and stretch available funding in order to provide a valuable summer work experience for as many youth as possible, and to ensure the completion of critical projects for our partners.

The state government shutdown has negatively impacted 500 of our youth participants who reside in the City of Minneapolis and suburban Hennepin, Dakota and Washington Counties. Here is how youth from specific areas have been affected:

• In Hennepin County, 317 youth began working before June 29, but most of their jobs were suspended by July 8. An additional 38 youth were scheduled to begin in June, but their jobs were delayed. If a state budget and adequate funding is not approved by July 27, these positions will not resume this summer. (84 of the Hennepin County youth who began working will continue through the summer, unaffected by the shutdown.)
•  In Dakota County, 23 youth began working the week of June 20, but were suspended on June 27. An additional 108 jobs were scheduled to begin June 27, but were delayed. A state budget and adequate funding must be reached by July 20 for Dakota County youth to participate this summer.
• In Washington County, 48 youth began working the week of June 27, but will be suspended on July 15. If a state budget and adequate funding is not approved by July 27, these youth will not resume working for the duration of the summer.
• In Minneapolis, 48 youth began working the week of June 20. If a state budget and adequate funding is not approved by July 15, these positions will be discontinued on July 29 for the remainder of the summer.
• At this time, the jobs for 32 St. Paul youth who began working in June have not been affected.

Tree Trust is hopeful the state budget will be resolved soon, and we are communicating with key partners, funders and officials to stay abreast of the situation. Affected youth and their parents have been notified, and we will contact them if a budget is approved and funding becomes available in time to resume programming.

Additional Tree Trust Programs
Like many nonprofits, the state shutdown has temporarily suspended the operation of some of our critical partners, and interrupted access to some government funds that have already been committed to our organization.

Tree Trust has been developing plans to minimize the impact on our operations if the state fails to reach a budget agreement in the coming months.

We remain committed to the individuals and communities we serve, and will continue to creatively and strategically guide the organization through this difficult time.

We could not make this commitment without the dedicated volunteers and donors who help to support our work. We ask that you continue to support Tree Trust in any way you can.

State budget crisis delays summer program

On June 20, more than 450 youth started their summer jobs with Tree Trust’s Youth Conservation Corps program. However, the lack of an approved state budget and subsequent funding for this program caused the suspension of 270 jobs and the delay of 135 additional youth jobs that were scheduled to start within the next two weeks.

Those affected reside in suburban Hennepin and Dakota Counties.

At this time Tree Trust cannot predict when these youth will begin or resume work, since positions are dependent upon the state’s budget. Funding from state and federal government accounts for more than 85 percent of what is needed to operate the Youth Conservation Corps program.

Tree Trust is hopeful the state budget will be resolved soon, and that the program will run at the level intended for the 2011 summer. Tree Trust is committed to the youth and communities served by this program, and is communicating with key partners, funders and officials to stay abreast of the situation.

Affected youth and their parents have been notified, and will be contacted about their participation in the program as soon as the state’s budget crisis is resolved and Tree Trust receives word of funding for this program.

Please contact Felecia at 952.767.3884 or Paula at 952.767.3883 with questions.

Funding for youth programs in jeopardy.

For 35 years our summer Youth Conservation Corps program has helped thousands of Twin Cities youth build self-confidence and make a lasting difference in their own communities.

As we prepare for our 2011 program, we are reminded of the significance of this program. So far this year, we have received nearly 1,000 applications, demonstrating the program’s importance.

Our summer program exists because of State and Federal funding. This funding from the government accounts for more than 85% of what we need to operate the program. The more money we receive, the more youth we can serve.

As you may know, the State Legislature and Governor are faced with a large deficit as they work out this year’s budget. One item on the chopping block: the Minnesota Youth Program, one of the critical sources of funding for our summer program.

We have already reduced the size of this program because of cuts in Federal funding. If Minnesota Youth Program funding is cut, it will reduce the number of youth we can serve even more.

You can help.

Contact your local representative today. Ask him/her to keep the Minnesota Youth Program in the 2011 budget at the same level as in 2010.

To find your representative, visit http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/districtfinder.aspx or call Felecia at 952-767-3884.

Tree Trust's 2010 results

In 2010, we directly served 4,816 people through our programs. 67% of those served were under age 18, 56% were female, and 64% of participants in our employment training and case management programs represent ethnic minorities.

This past year we engaged 432 citizens who volunteered 1,454 hours with our Community Forestry program. These volunteers distributed 1,453 reduced-cost trees to homeowners, and planted 464 trees and 402 shrubs throughout the Twin Cities. An additional 21 ,volunteers provided 99 hours of administrative assistance.

Our Learning with Trees program involved 2,119 students in the creation of outdoor classrooms on the grounds of three Twin Cities elementary schools.

Our Community Support Program matched 816 parents with employment experiences at 169 host sites throughout the metro. 97% of participants who earned wages while participating reported they gained positive work experience and would recommend the program to others.

466 youth received individualized case management services and support through our Youth Development Services program; of these youth, 143 were also placed in internships. 82% of participants who exited the program in 2010 reported they have more confidence in their ability to find and keep a job as a result of being in the program.

Our summer Youth Conservation Corps program employed 889 youth who worked more than 90,000 hours and earned more than $700,000. 94% of participants who responded to surveys reported learning important skills that will help in future jobs.

87 youth completed community improvement projects while participating in our Young Adult Conservation Corps paid job training program. 92% who responded to exit surveys said their future employment opportunities were expanded; 84% said we helped them reach their employment goals.

Our YouthBuild program provided 37 young adults with paid job training and academic enrichment while they rehabbed three Minneapolis homes that will be sold to low-income first-time homebuyers. 100% of exited participants completed OSHA-10 safety training; 94% earned a high school diploma or GED, or returned to school to earn a diploma or GED.

Despite the struggling economy, Landscape Services, our earned-income venture, increased revenue from private sources significantly in 2010, proving to be a sustainable source of income to help to support our programs.

Life after summer

We often refer to the summer as our busy time of year; and no doubt it is a busy time for Tree Trust. But for many Tree Trust programs, fall marks the time when we take a deep breath and get ready for what we’re about to take on during the school year.

Community Forestry
Community Forestry has always been a part of Tree Trust, and over the years we’ve given people easy ways to improve the local environment and become more enlightened about their own ability to make a (green) difference.

This fall the Community Forestry Manager, Karen, is busy facilitating our fall planting events (five this year!), working with three Learning with Trees schools, and gearing up for what we expect will be another busy spring community planting season. “It’s always nice to think about how many people we’ve educated and involved, and the difference it makes for everyone,” says Karen.

Jobs for teens

This year Tree Trust received over 2,200 applications from qualified, eligible young people for the 900 jobs available through our Youth Conservation Corps summer employment training program. A tough economy has led to a consistent increase in requests for this program in recent years.

Northwest Community Television (Channel 12) was pretty impressed with how Tree Trust has remained a consistent source of paid job training for Twin Cities youth for nearly 35 years, and they recently visited one of our crews, located at French Regional Park in Plymouth, to learn more about us.

Check out the story that aired on July 20, 2010 on their Local News/Community Corner.

Tree Trust crews throughout the Twin Cities

Tree Trust’s Youth Conservation Corps completes its fourth week today – they’re nearly ½ of the way through this summer’s program! Check out these photos that highlight what some of our outdoor crews are doing in your neck of the woods.

If there’s a Tree Trust crew in your area, stop by, see what they’re up to, and thank them for their hard work! We currently have crews working in:

Minneapolis
Theodore Wirth Golf Course
Trail near 37th and University
Midtown Greenway

St. Paul
Crosby Farm Park
Phalen Recreation Center

Suburban Carver County
Lake Minnewashta Regional Park
Lake Minnetonka Regional Park

Suburban Dakota County
C.P. Adams Park
Orchard Lake Beach
Scott Park
North Valley Park
Suburban Hennepin County
Brookview Golf Course
Westwood Hills Nature Center
Clifton E. French Regional Park
Brooklyn Center Arboretum/Kylawn Park
Brooklyn Center City Hall
Minnetonka Ice Arena
Rosland Park
Richardson Nature Center
Plymouth Creek Park
Elm Creek Park Reserve
Richard T. Anderson Nature Area
LRT Trail near Guillian’s Park

Suburban Washington County
Carver Lake Park
Lamar Fields
Hamlet Park
Square Lake Regional Park