University of Minnesota advances climate resilience through tree planting initiative

Crookston, MN - The prevailing north and west winds create harsh conditions for people, landscapes and animals in northwest Minnesota. That's why the University of Minnesota planted over 1200 trees and shrubs on the Crookston campus and Northwest Research and Outreach Center this spring. The tree and shrub plantings strengthen biodiversity, restore and establish windbreaks and support student learning.

The University is "Restoring Our Roots" and improving climate resiliency by implementing a priority identified in their Campus and Climate Action Plans through a large-scale tree and shrub planting initiative.

Northwest School of Agriculture Campus - 1933 University of Minnesota Crookston Campus - Current

This effort is funded, in part, by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as part of its Local Climate Action Grant program. The project brings together a range of partners, including Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa, West Polk Soil and Water Conservation District, the City of Crookston and the University of Minnesota Crookston's Agriculture and Natural Resources Department, Facilities Management, Office of Sustainability and the Northwest Research and Outreach Center. These partnerships strengthen regional collaboration around forestry and climate resilience while expanding tree canopy across both campus and community spaces.

The initiative will restore and expand over a mile and a half of new and restored windbreaks, while working to increase shade, support biodiversity and create spaces that connect people more closely to the landscape. Over time, the plantings are projected to sequester (the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide) over a million pounds of carbon dioxide over the next 40 years, contributing to long-term campus climate goals for carbon reduction.

"This project puts the Crookston Climate Action Plan into action in a visible and tangible way," said Shane Stennes, chief sustainability officer at the University of Minnesota. "It supports campus goals for climate adaptation and resilience while also contributing to carbon sequestration through large-scale plantings. Additionally, it reflects the University's commitment to a campus design that prioritizes long-term sustainability and the ability for our landscapes to respond to the changing climate conditions."

About 90% of the species selected for planting are climate resilient or native, helping ensure the plantings can adapt to future climate conditions to support long-term ecosystem health and carbon sequestration. Species are reflective of the University of Minnesota Extension Office's Recommend Trees and the expertise of local conditions provided by faculty and the West Polk Soil and Water Conservation District staff, and the faculty's current and projected use of the campus trees for hands-on learning.

Beyond species selection, faculty have played an integral role in connecting the project directly to student learning and coursework. Students used the campus as a living-learning lab - collecting field data to update the existing tree inventory, collecting cuttings from the Red River Valley Natural History Area for propagation, participating in campus planting efforts and contributing to the development of an emerald ash borer management plan.

University of Minnesota Crookston students planting balsam poplar cuttings they collected from the Red River Valley Natural History Area trees on campus.

University of Minnesota Crookston students planting balsam poplar cuttings they collected from the Red River Valley Natural History Area trees on campus.

"This kind of work gives students the opportunity to apply what they're learning in a real setting," said Aaron Rudolph, assistant professor in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department. "They're able to engage directly with the landscape, understand how management decisions are made and see the impact of their work on campus."

Even the campus's youngest students will benefit from the recent efforts. A tree has been planted at the University's Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) to provide shade to the play area and to encourage nature-based sensory play. In addition, a nearby apple tree was selected to align with the center's fall curriculum on plants and food systems. As part of this effort, members of the University's Board of Regents recently planted a tree with ECDC students.

The Board of Regents participated in a ceremonial tree planting near the Early Childhood Development Center.

Several agricultural assets will benefit from the project as well. Multiple rows of windbreaks have been planted to provide protection to horse paddocks on the north of campus and on the Northwest Research and Outreach Center's (NWROC) property to provide protection to a cattle barn. NWROC has also planted trees on agricultural fields for soil protection.

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa members planting a tree at the University of Minnesota Crookston campus.

The bulk of the planting on campus was completed by service members from Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa, staff from the West Polk Soil and Water Conservation District and volunteers. Conservation Corps members were engaged with faculty to learn more about the campus vision and landscape attributes in addition to planting large nursery stock. West Polk Soil and Water Conservation District supported through machine planting of windbreaks.

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa members planting a tree at the University of Minnesota Crookston campus.

In addition to the campus benefits, this project also aligns with the City of Crookston's climate planning and urban canopy goals. A small winbreak added to the Valley Technology Park adds to the city's ongoing Tree Canopy Initiative work in partnership with University of Minnesota's Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, which will consist of completing a tree inventory, emerald ash borer planning and preparation, wood waste utilization and urban tree canopy planning and management.

Together the partners involved in this project have made it possible to improve wind protection, canopy coverage, and landscape resilience. The University of Minnesota Crookston plans to continue the coordination between campus landscape and natural resource management with coursework, student positions and other applied learning opportunities that connect planting, monitoring, and maintenance directly to classroom and field learning in alignment with its Campus and Climate Action Plans.

An illustration of a UMN Crookston landscape design plan that highlights various environmental features aimed at sustainability and educational benefits. The central part of the image displays a diagram of a campus area with pathways, greenery, and buildings, surrounded by labeled circles with photos of each feature. The top left circle labeled "Windbreaks" shows rows of trees, designed to reduce wind speed and create sheltered spaces. The top right circle, "Fruit Forest," depicts fruit trees like apple and plum aimed at increasing local food access and biodiversity. The middle right circle, "Animal Comfort Zone," shows cattle amidst trees, focusing on livestock comfort and shade provision. The bottom right circle, "Climate Plan Implemented," involves strategies for climate adaptation, carbon storage, and stormwater management. The bottom left circle, "Playground Shade," provides shaded play areas for children, and finally, the bottom center circle, "Future Learning Loop," creates a learning environment connecting students to natural systems.

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