Thank You for making this Spring a Success!
A heartfelt thank you to the nearly 200 volunteers who took part in our forestry events this spring. With your help, Tree Trust was able to plant and distribute approximately 1870 trees and shrubs!

You helped rain or shine, on cold spring mornings and muddy afternoons. You loaded an 8 foot tree into a sedan and taught the next generation of kids how to be stewards of nature. Many of you spotted an interesting activity taking place at your local park, walked up, and pitched in! Together, we made our neighborhoods, streets, and parks greener for generations to come! 










Our Community Forestry events are all wrapped up for the spring, but you can stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and our newsletter to learn about our events in the fall. 
A Long-Term Look at Learning with Trees 
Our Learning with Trees (LWT) program has partnered with more than 190 schools throughout Minnesota since 1992, and we added four more this spring! Our Green-Corps member, Mikaela, visited the schools where we have conducted the program in the last ten years, and reported on how the school grounds have developed over the years. Here's an update on one of those schools.

Tree Trust partnered with Highland Elementary School in Apple Valley to offer a LWT program in 2006. A portion of the original planting design shows five Black Hills spruce trees intended to separate the outdoor classroom area benches from Pilot Knob Road on the north and east sides.  

The planting designs that Tree Trust creates for outdoor classrooms are meant to make the area feel immersive, but the design can take years to reach its full potential! Within the planting plan, Tree Trust staff include suggestions for further development of the school yard. Immediately after the initial planting in 2006, the outdoor learning area was nice, but didn't have much shade or separation from the street. 

After the planting, Highland Elementary received grants to further develop their school yard by adding additional trees and shrubs to complete the space. The learning area today is almost unrecognizable now that the trees have filled in. Ten years later, the space is immersive, engaging, and hidden from the main roads around it! 

Learning with Trees is funded by foundation grants and corporate sponsorships, so there are no fees charged to schools for participation. Schools may apply year-round for participation in this program. If you are interested in bringing the Learning with Trees program to your school, click here to learn more! 
Graduation Season!
On May 10, 2017, five Tree Trust participants, and one past participant, graduated from North Hennepin Community College! Larisheka, Sametta, Kuku, Comfort, Princess, and Dominic all earned their associates degrees in art or science. 

Three students participated in NHCC's TRIO program, which provides academic support to students who are low-income, first generation college students, or have a documented disability. 

Graduation was attended by four Tree Trust staff. We are all very proud of what these graduates have accomplished through their dedication and hard work, and wish them the best of luck on their next steps!  


Work at Tree Trust
Come join our team! When positions are open, Tree Trust seeks to hire qualified staff and participants. Positions exist in a variety of different capacities and include full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions. View open positions here. 
 
Current Openings: 
Landscape Construction Technician
YouthBuild Case Manager
When you donate to Tree Trust, you positively impact environmental health and the lives of thousands of people in your own community. It is through the essential support of our donors and volunteers that Tree Trust has been able to transform lives and landscapes for more than 40 years.