Minnesota Tree Steward Communities

Austin

Hear from the program

"2022 was the inaugural year for Spruce Up Austin (SUA) to host and manage the Austin Tree Steward Program. The mission of SUA (est. 1990), is to coordinate diverse resources to initiate, establish and maintain beautification projects in the Austin area with a strong emphasis on planting trees. Our Hope is that our Tree Steward volunteers are leaders in their community, and act as a second pair of eyes for our Austin Park & Rec/Forestry team as we battle Emerald Ash Borer. We are lucky to have the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center host our trainings for hands-on experience with tree trimming and urban forestry management. SUA also manages the Mike Ruzek Tree Trek located at
East Side Lake Park, which in 2024 has reached 100 trees and leans heavily on volunteer time to maintain."

Program began

2022

Program contact

Reach out to either Spruce Up Austin ([email protected]) or the City of Austin Forestry department ((507) 433-1881) for further information.

Austin resources

recommeded_residential_tree_list_-_2024.pdf

Austin Forestry

Spruce Up Austin

Spruce Up Austin Facebook page

Hennepin County

Hear from the program

"Hennepin County’s Tree Stewards Program started with 2017 with the goal of brining folks together through volunteerism to care for our community and urban trees. Through this program we want to increase education surrounding proper tree planting, young tree pruning, identifying tree-related concerns, etc.,. We also hope to establish a strong relationship with residents throughout Hennepin County with this program moving forward by creating more opportunity such as community tree planting events and hosting educational sessions."

Program began

2017

Program contact

Leslie Alcantar Mejia
[email protected]

Hennepin County resources

Trees and forestry | Hennepin County – Find information about their program, recommended tree list, grants, and future events (like education sessions and the tree sale).

La Crescent

Hear from the program

"La Crescent is fortunate to have a great group of community tree stewards. Our community tree stewards understand that trees bring many benefits to the La Crescent community including reduced flooding by absorbing stormwater, conserving energy and cooling buildings during summer heat, providing community shade, hosting food for wildlife, and cutting noise and air pollution. The community Tree Stewards have been instrumental in the development of our boulevard tree program. The Tree Stewards work with each property owner who receives a boulevard tree to teach them proper watering, mulching, and pruning for the new tree. By planting and maintaining the public trees the La Crescent Tree Stewards are providing a valuable community service."

Program began

2022

Program Contact

Jason Ludwigon, City of La Crescent Sustainability Coordinator and SRTS Coordinator
[email protected]
507-313-9633

La Crescent resources

La Crescent sustainability homepage

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB)

Minnetonka

Hear from the program

"During the first year (2024) of the implementation of the tree steward program with the City of Minnetonka the volunteer group helped staff along with various organizations in Hennepin County plant about 10,000 seedlings, consisting of 52 different species of trees and shrubs in Ford Park as part of a restoration project. The volunteer group is essential to the community to help preserve, maintain, and promote a healthy tree canopy. Some of the goals Minnetonka has for the tree steward program is to support tree health and management and assist with outreach efforts to promote education, awareness and community engagement related to trees!"

Program began

2024

Program contact

Tessa Saloka, Forestry Technician
[email protected]
952-988-8441

Minnetonka resources

City of Minnetonka Forestry

Morris

Hear from the program

"Morris has a beautiful tree canopy that reduces energy use and provides shade, privacy, and wildlife. The Morris Tree Stewards help plant and maintain the public trees, especially by watering, mulching, winter protection, simple pruning, and monitoring tree health. The community's trees are thriving because of the effort and dedication of those who came before us. The Tree Stewards help protect and care for this legacy so it can continue to benefit future generations."

Program began

2018

Program Contact

Sue Granger, Morris Tree Board Chair
[email protected]
320-589-3846

Morris resources

Morris Tree Board

Newport

Note: This group joined forces with the Washington County Tree Steward group in 2025.

Hear from the program

"Our group began in 2016 after we had been trained as Citizen Pruners (the precursor to Tree Stewards). Our primary work is pruning small trees in Newport parks and along the Hwy 61 corridor, but also in two Washington County Parks. However, a special project we’ve gone back to each year is planting, pruning and protecting trees (removing encroaching buckthorn, etc.) in Newport’s Bailey School Forest Park."

Program began

2016

Program contact

Susan Lindoo
[email protected]

Washington County

Hear from the program

"April 2025 launched the Tree Steward Program in Washington County hosted by the Washington Conservation District (WCD). The WCD Volunteer Coordinator works with local communities (e.g., city public works and/or parks departments) and others (e.g., watershed organizations, Washington County
Parks, School Forests) to schedule events in which Tree Stewards provide care for young trees, plant new trees, and assist with forest restoration activities. Additional activities include assisting with the WCD’s Annual Tree Sale, and sharing tree-related information at community events and tree giveaways."

Program began

2025

Program contact

Lori Maxfield, Volunteer Coordinator and EMWREP Educator
[email protected]
(651) 739-9637

Austin

Hennepin County

La Crescent

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB)

Minnetonka

Morris

Newport

Washington County

Edina

Maple Grove

Ely

St. Paul

Minnesota Tree Steward Communities

Austin

Hennepin County

La Crescent

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB)

Minnetonka

Morris

Newport

Washington County

Edina

Maple Grove

Ely

St. Paul

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