Tree planting grants will also fund removal of 2,200 hazardous trees
.jpg.aspx?lang=en-US&width=350&height=232 "Grants will help 14 cities and regional park agencies plant trees.")
The Metropolitan Council has approved $2.5 million in Community Tree Planting grants to 14 cities and regional park agencies, launching an ambitious effort to plant more than 5,100 new trees while removing over 2,200 diseased or hazardous trees across the Twin Cities region.
“Trees are one of the smartest long-term investments we can make for our region's future," said Robert Lilligren, Chair of the Met Council's Community Development Committee. "They’re part of a natural system that cleans our air, cools our neighborhoods, prevents erosion, and creates the beautiful, livable communities we all want to call home."
The grants, funded through a state appropriation and administered through a new Met Council program, prioritize communities with insufficient tree canopy coverage and areas facing public safety concerns from distressed ash trees affected by emerald ash borer infestations.
"This tree planting program will deliver significant, long-term benefits for generations," said Gillian Greenberg, senior climate planner for the Met Council. "Removing older, distressed ash trees will make our neighborhoods safer immediately, while thousands of new healthy trees will provide cooling shade, cleaner air, and wildlife habitats that people can appreciate and enjoy for decades."
Addressing climate and equity priorities
The program directly responds to growing concerns about urban heat islands and environmental justice in the Twin Cities region. Trees reduce air temperatures by up to 10 degrees through shade and evapotranspiration, while also improving air quality, managing stormwater, and providing crucial wildlife habitat.
State law directs the program to focus on two key priorities: removing ash trees that pose public safety risks and improving tree canopy in vulnerable communities based on income, education levels, and other demographic factors that correlate with environmental health disparities.
The Met Council received 31 applications requesting more than $5 million in total funding. A six-person review panel—including Met Council members, an Equity Advisory Council representative, and experts from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, and Great River Greening—evaluated proposals using criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Availability.
"Cities and park agencies are the experts on where trees are needed most in their communities, and the Met Council is proud to provide the resources to make those vital plantings happen," said Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle. "When we work together like this, we're not just planting trees, we're growing stronger, more resilient communities that benefit everyone in our region."
Regional impact and major recipients
Grant recipients span the seven-county metropolitan area, from Anoka to Minnetonka to Oakdale. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board received the largest award for its proposal to replace 900 trees throughout the city's park system and boulevards.
The City of West Saint Paul secured the second-largest grant to plant 250 trees, primarily in historically disadvantaged neighborhoods near parks, playgrounds, and residential areas that currently lack adequate tree coverage.
“We’re excited to join the Community Tree Planting Grant program and plant resilient, climate-adapted trees that will help our neighborhood recover from emerald ash borer losses,” said Jim Hauth, Public Works Director at Vadnais Heights. “These new trees will strengthen our community, boost our environment, and help us adapt to future challenges.”
Long-term environmental benefits
The new plantings will create a more diverse urban forest designed to withstand future climate challenges and pest pressures. Beyond immediate safety improvements from hazardous tree removal, the expanded canopy will provide measurable benefits including:
- Reduced energy costs for residents through natural cooling
- Improved air quality and carbon sequestration
- Enhanced stormwater management and reduced flooding risk
- Increased property values and neighborhood livability
- Critical habitat corridors for urban wildlife
Grant recipients have until June 30, 2027, to complete their tree planting and removal projects. The Met Council will monitor progress and evaluate outcomes to inform future funding cycles.
Program background
The Community Tree Planting Grant Program was established in 2024 when the Minnesota Legislature appropriated $2.5 million to the Met Council specifically for regional tree canopy improvement. The legislation reflects growing recognition of trees as essential green infrastructure for climate resilience and public health.
The program represents one of the largest coordinated urban forestry investments in Minnesota history and positions the Twin Cities region as a national leader in equitable tree canopy development.
A complete list of the awards can be found here.