Remembering a friend of Tree Trust

In early 2008, the pocket park on 8th Avenue and Washburn in north Minneapolis was not a welcoming, family-friendly green space where neighbors came to play or gather. So in the summer of 2008, Tree Trust starting working on a project to transform the park into something the neighborhood could be proud of.

We quickly met Rob MacIntyre, a handy guy with a big heart who lived near the park. Rob had been watching the Tree Trust youth crew who had been removing debris and rebuilding the decaying retaining wall, and he offered to lend a hand…and tools, and equipment, and humor, and...

Over the next two years Rob got several of his neighbors involved in the neighborhood improvements and worked alongside our youth crews, many who lived in the area, to plant trees, create gardens and transform the area.

We were saddened to learn about Rob’s passing after Sunday’s tornado, and we look forward to soon restoring the damaged parts of the green projects Rob helped us complete.

We have a special place in our hearts for Rob. Any donations made in his memory will be used to help involve the community and Tree Trust’s youth crews in replanting efforts in north Minneapolis.

Help replace trees lost in the storm

The damage caused by the storm on Sunday, May 22 was so extensive that President Obama has pledged to send aid to the Twin Cities to help us rebuild. Tree Trust is joining the effort by helping to replant trees in the metro, including Minneapolis and other cities hit the hardest.

You can help. Make a donation to our Green Futures fund to support our reforestation efforts. Every donation made to Green Futures will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a local family foundation, stretching your donation even further.

Donations are 100% tax-deductible, and will be turned into trees that are planted during community events in public parks this fall. The more money raised, the more trees we can plant.

Make a donation to Green Futures today, and actively participate in replanting the Twin Cities.

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.”

Minneapolis City Trees distribution details

Here are the details for the Minneapolis property owners who were lucky enough to score one of the 1500 trees for sale through the Minneapolis City Trees sale.

Pick-up times:
Saturday, May 21
7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Sunday, May 22
8 a.m. – noon

Monday, May 23
3 – 7 p.m.

Location:
Minneapolis Impound Lot
51 Colfax Ave. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55405

You will forfeit your tree and the money you paid for it, should you not be able to pick up your trees on the dates specified. You can certainly make arrangements for someone else to pick up your tree, should you be unavailable. If you wish to pick out the tree you believe is the best of the bunch, trees are first come first serve; we do not hold trees for individuals.

Trees will be anywhere from 4-8’ tall.  All of these trees are containerized (in a plastic pot). Burlap will be provided for wrapping your tree to protect it on the way home.

For more information on planting your tree, click here. Planting and tree care information as well as species specific information will be provided for you when you pick-up your tree. 

We are still in need of volunteers for this event. You can help re-leaf the city by loading residents' new trees and bags of mulch into their vehicles at our upcoming tree distribution. This is a great event for individuals, families, and small groups. Lifting is required, but partnering up makes it easy. Tree Trust staff will provide a brief training and be present throughout the day to answer any questions. To register to volunteer or to learn more email amandag@treetrust.org or call 952-767-3882.