Youth graduate from job program

Graduates gather with Terry Egge of the Pohlad Family Foundation,
one of the Young Adult Conservation Corp program's funders.

At a youth recognition ceremony last Friday, 11 young adults were presented with certificates of achievement in honor of their personal growth and successful completion of Tree Trust’s Young Adult Conservation Corps program.

Open to youth ages 17 to 21, the Young Adult Conservation Corps program offers paid training and jobs to those who would otherwise have trouble finding work in this difficult economy. For many, this program is their first chance at experiencing success and provides a unique opportunity to reshape their lives.

This summer participants braved extreme heat and rainy days while working in teams to improve local parks, recreation areas and neighborhoods. Projects included building a large boardwalk in Westwood Hills Nature Center in St. Louis Park, and performing lawn maintenance on foreclosed properties in Minneapolis, among many others.

In addition to gaining employment and life skills, participants completed OSHA’s 10-hour safety training, a certification they can take with them to their next job.

When asked about important things they are taking away from their participation in the program, one graduate said, “I learned to step up to the plate when I see something that’s not done.” Others listed better communication skills, a more positive attitude, self-confidence and patience among the things they gained from the program.

While most graduates returned to school this week or started longer-term jobs, several will continue for another three months in an advanced level of the program.

To apply for the program or learn more, contact Keith at 612-590-3655 or keithw@treetrust.org.

Tree Trust replaces trees lost in North Minneapolis tornado

Tree Trust replaces trees lost in North Minneapolis tornado

Beginning September 1, we will offer 300 trees to homeowners in North Minneapolis who lost trees on their property during the May 22, 2011 tornado. This project, part of our North Minneapolis Reforest Project, is funded by grants from State Farm Insurance and Xcel Energy Foundation, and an in-kind donation from Bachman’s Nursery. Other project partners include the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

Homeowners in the area affected by the tornado will have the opportunity to obtain up to two trees per property. Trees may be purchased for $20 each, or homeowners may attend a free, one-hour workshop on proper tree planting and tree care to have the fees waived. Tree Trust will offer three separate workshops in late September. Those who wish to attend a workshop must indicate this at the time of order.

Four species of trees will be available for order. Varieties available are: Prairiefire crabapple, Autumn Brilliance serviceberry, Northern hackberry and Royal Star Magnolia.

Orders will be accepted online (www.treetrust.org/orderhere) and by mail from September 1 through September 15 at 5:00 p.m. Mailed or hand-delivered orders must be received by 5:00 p.m. on September 15 at Tree Trust (2231 Edgewood Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN 55426). Starting September 1, paper order forms can be printed from the website or picked up at Farview Park (621 29th Avenue North) and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board headquarters (2117 West River Road) during their normal business hours.

PLEASE NOTE: The ordering website will only be accessible from September 1 through September 15.

Tree pick up will take place on Sunday, October 2 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Monday, October 3 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board headquarters (2117 West River Road). Trees must be claimed during the pick up or the purchaser will forfeit the tree and money paid. If the purchaser is unable to pick up the tree they are encouraged to make arrangements to have someone else pick up their tree on their behalf. There will be NO REFUNDS for trees that die.

Volunteers will be available at the pick-up location to help load tree(s) and a complimentary bag(s) of mulch. Tree Trust will plant a limited number of trees for those unable to plant their tree. These trees will be planted by Tree Trust staff and trained volunteers during a planting day in early October. Those interested in having their trees planted must indicate this at the time of order.

You can help further our efforts to replace more trees in North Minneapolis by volunteering with us and/or making a tax-deductible donation. (Designate your gift to “Trees for City of Minneapolis”).

For questions about the project, contact Diana Preisen, Community Forest Specialist at Tree Trust, dianap@treetrust.org or 612-590-1421.

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.