Adopt a Tree in Minneapolis

I shared this resource last year, but it bears repeating again. Jeff and I were out on the creek just yesterday with Rosie. It is devastating to see how many tall trees are dead, brittle and marked with an X for removal. This is now the second summer in a row that we have been hit with unusually high temps as well as minimal rainfall at most. Chalk it up to climate change and it is only going to worsen. If you imagine how much water is needed to sustain a giant tree compared to those daily waterings you are giving to your lovely gardens and lawns - it does not come close. Especially during those first 3 years of planting from a sapling to something even bordering on a young tree with a root system underneath ground. Driving down Lyndale there are blocks of fancy new boulevards in the middle where the city has planted trees to encourage a canopy within the city. At least 75% of them are dead because the Park Board nor anyone else has taken the time to nurture them over these last two years. The same with trees in Painter Park a few blocks away. They are simply planted and left on their own. A waste of resources and "greenablity."

I am not sure why most of our residents are not aware of this Adopt a Tree program that is readily available. The nonprofit taking this on is called Brewing a Better Forest and is a simple game plan where a few invested urban foresters have come up with a brainchild and reached out to some local breweries who also get their passion. Somehow, they work with the city of Minneapolis on all the park and boulevard trees that are planted. And have created an interactive map where you can pull up your zip code and it shows every single tree planted in the Metro that has not been claimed. By clicking on a dot, just like you would pick a seat for a concert venue - you agree to water that tree for a period of a single season and make sure it stays healthy by watering once a week throughout this drought period. And for that simple task of helping Mother Nature, they will send you two random drinks at any of the participating brewers. How easy is that?

There are 1000s of trees to choose from. You are even given the option of naming your tree. I chose to name mine after my grandfather Basil and was lucky enough to find one planted right outside my front door. They even give you tutorial videos on how to best help your tree by keeping it watered & safe. Please give it a look. If I can get even 20 people to step up, it will make a difference to all those trees currently marked with an X that were forgotten. Do your civic duty!

Brewing a Better Forest.