In The News: Trees!

SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA — Arbor Day is the traditional kick-off to another season of tree-planting to dress up our communities, enhance our forests, or honor the memory of a loved one with a special tree dedication. 

Below are just a couple items in the news that caught our attention—connect with your local city, county or area conservation organizations for additional opportunities, or check out Minnesota’s Arbor Day/Arbor Month statewide activities.

La Crescent, making a difference with trees

The City of La Crescent is among the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (MNDNR) recipients of a ReLeaf Community Forestry Grant that will enable the community to “restore our urban forest from the effects of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), while enhancing the diversity of its urban tree canopy,” according to the city’s sustainability staff.

This grant, awarded in 2023, is designed to empower communities of all sizes to combat EAB and other forest pests, ultimately contributing to a more resilient ecosystem. The trees purchased with these grant funds are being planted in conjunction with Arbor Day 2025. UPDATE: Due to the forecast for additional rain later this week and very wet soils, La Crescent is postponing its Arbor Day tree planting until Friday, May 2, 2025. The tree planting begins in Old Hickory Park at 8:30 a.m.

In addition to the tree planting, La Crescent is celebrating its “Tree City USA” recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation. In making the designation, a spokesperson for the Foundation recognized La Crescent for its commitment to building resiliency and fostering good health, noting that the city “is among the Arbor Day Foundation’s growing network of communities dedicated to creating positive impact through trees.”

“La Crescent is fortunate to be recognized for our contribution to the long-term aesthetic, environmental, and economic well-being of the city,” said Jason Ludwigson, Sustainability Coordinator for the City of La Crescent. “Our trees conserve topsoil and increase community health, wealth, and quality of life.” 

MNDNR has additional details about Minnesota communities participating in the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program; nationally, the program is operated in partnership with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.

Arbor Month tree planting along the Root River near Lanesboro

As part of the Root River Restoration Project underway northwest of Lanesboro, the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center (EBELC) will host a community tree planting day to further enhance the ecosystem along the river. 

This “day of restoration and community” welcomes anyone interested in learning about and planting native trees and shrubs at ‘The Point’ – a parcel of land that was harvested to help with riverbank stabilization efforts related to the river Restoration Project. 

‘The Point’ is the site for Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center’s tree planting restoration project along the Root River. (Photo by Eagle Bluff ELC)

Replanting this land with a mixture of trees and shrubs that will promote long-term resilience and create habitat for wildlife, is all part of Eagle Bluff’s commitment to restoring the overall ecosystem along the river.