Trees of Life

Minneapolis and our Park Board has always been a symbol of civic pride. We also have a relatively new entity called the Green Project which looks at urban renewal and how all things "green" contribute to our livability. The two started a joint project back in 2019 that if I am reading correct, will span 25 years devoted to an urban tree program. 

I had first caught wind of it a year back via a newsletter. It makes Minneapolis the first city in Minnesota to participate in a National credit program. It is very detailed, but from what I can comprehend, it sounds as if a rebate type undertaking. Almost like a Forest version of Monopoly! Each tree planted in the city has a value; mainly based on their carbon footprint. In addition, each tree generates other perk points from stormwater interception, air pollution deflection and heat/ cooling energy. There are also "bonus points" for oxygen production, climate change reduction, benefitting wildlife and a handful of other smaller identified factors. If I understand this Carbon Offset Registry, individuals, organizations or corporations can "purchase" carbon credits to expand the green canopy in the city. Trees are reported and added to our total Minneapolis registry. I am not able to quantify what this means, but a carbon credit = one metric ton of CO2. This provides a pathway for companies who are aware they are making a carbon footprint but are willing to invest in a way to combat that footprint by purchasing trees which give back to the environment. I do also know our Downtown Minneapolis Council has qualifying language that every major project in the Downtown corridor has to incorporate some element of green space - whether it be a courtyard, fountains or atrium to steer our skyline away from pure steel and concrete.

There is some boiler plate language that alludes to not being able to "buy" your way out of polluting your own community. It is not a Get Out of Jail card, since these companies need to continue to reduce their own carbon footprint in addition to contributing to the general well-being of each city.

The Green Minneapolis webpage gives some basic insight, although the larger details are still beyond me. They speak of protocols and a timeline. But from the data I can read, in the first 3 of 25 years, it has contributed to 23,755 trees to our city scape. This contributes to the long-term goal of nearly 50,000 metric tons of CO2. I trust that Green Minneapolis has put much thought and calculation into the project with Protocols and a City Forest Credit data base. It may be a handful of mumbo jumbo. But I have to believe that climate change is real, quantifiable and that we are at least making a critical pact to offset it that will reach these 25 years into our renewable future. Tell me if you think it is worth the effort and funds?

Green Minneapolis Carbon Offset link