Overview of Tree Planting in Minnesota

Minnesota has a reputation for being one of the most tree-covered states in the United States. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, roughly 5.5 million acres, or nearly one-third of the state, is forested. With such a vast amount of forested land, there's no surprise that Minnesota also has an active tree planting culture. But how many trees are planted each year in Minnesota?

Government Efforts

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has an active tree planting program that plants around 3 million seedlings annually. These seedlings are planted on state-managed lands like wildlife and scientific areas and state parks. The department also runs a Tree Doctor program that provides free advice to individuals and landowners about tree planting, care, and preservation. The program also gives away thousands of seedlings to landowners each year.

Non-Government Efforts

Besides the state government's effort, there are also several non-governmental organizations that conduct tree planting initiatives across Minnesota. For example, Minnesota GreenCorps is a statewide program that trains AmeriCorps members to work on environmental projects like tree planting. The organization's primary goal is to enhance statewide environmental efforts in energy conservation, sustainable agriculture, and waste reduction. Other non-government organizations that conduct tree planting activities include Friends of the Mississippi River, which plants trees to restore the Mississippi River's banks, and Tree Trust, which plants trees in urban areas to reduce the urban heat island effect.

Private Sector Involvement

The private sector in Minnesota also plays a significant role in tree planting. Businesses and corporations have long been proponents of environmental causes like tree planting. For instance, Minnesota Power, a subsidiary of ALLETE Inc., has a "Power of Trees" program that helps customers plant trees around their homes or businesses through incentives like rebates. The company also conducts tree planting programs in various cities and towns across northern Minnesota.

The Bottomline

It's impossible to determine the exact number of trees planted each year in Minnesota as there are many tree planting initiatives across different sectors, both public and private. However, it's evident that tree planting remains a crucial activity in Minnesota, given the state's strong commitment to environmental stewardship. With the rate of deforestation worldwide increasing, the efforts in Minnesota to preserve and replenish the state's tree population stand out as models of sustainable environmental stewardship.