Planting trees for a cooler Minneapolis

Chris Opp

Cities across the world and right here in Minneapolis face a growing problem. As we head into another hot summer, the issue of urban heat in Minneapolis has become more pressing than ever. One of the most effective ways to combat the urban heat island effect – where cities experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas – is through tree planting. The city of Minneapolis has launched a tree planting program aimed at making the city greener, cooler, and more sustainable for everyone. Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or community member, you can play a part in creating a healthier environment for all.

What is the Urban Heat Island Effect?
Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) develop when buildings, streets, and other city infrastructure absorb and retain heat, causing urban areas to become noticeably warmer than surrounding areas. In Minneapolis, this effect leads to higher temperatures in certain neighborhoods, resulting in health risks, increased energy bills, and a greater impact as the world continues to get hotter. To help residents understand where these hot spots occur, the Metropolitan Council offers an Extreme Heat Map Tool at https://bit.ly/3Ul8Qd9.
The map uses a spectrum of colors – ranging from cool greens to the hot oranges and reds – to highlight temperature differences. Notably, downtown Minneapolis and its nearby neighborhoods stand out as significant urban heat islands on this map. The NENA area overall appears to be okay when compared to downtown, but there are pockets of heat that can be improved upon in our area. One of the best solutions to mitigate urban heat islands is planting more trees. Trees provide shade, reduce surface temperatures through evapotranspiration, and release oxygen into the air. By increasing the city's tree canopy, Minneapolis can help lower local temperatures, improve air quality, and make the city more resilient.

Door-knocking campaign in mid-August
The NENA Environment Committee will launch a door-knocking campaign in mid-August, with volunteers visiting the Bossen Terrace neighborhood to share information about the Minneapolis tree planting initiative. They'll be ready to answer your questions and explain how you can purchase a tree for just $30 on the Minneapolis Tree Planting website – a great opportunity for residents and businesses alike to make a lasting impact. Further details of the Minneapolis Tree Planting program can be found here: https://bit.ly/3Gy2mok. 

Why Bossen Terrace?
Bossen Terrace stands out as a neighborhood with enormous potential for transformation. According to the Tree Equity Score website, just 17% of the area currently enjoys the cooling comfort of tree cover – a stark contrast to their goal of 50% canopy. Imagine the difference: shady streets, cleaner air, and vibrant green spaces replacing hot, exposed concrete. By focusing efforts here, we can spark change, turning Bossen Terrace into a cooler area for all and helping improve our resilience to extreme heat events.
If a volunteer comes to your door, feel free to ask any questions you may have – they're eager to help and want to make sure everyone can take advantage of this opportunity. The goal of this outreach is to involve as many Bossen Terrace residents as possible in planting trees. By bringing affordable trees directly to the community, we hope to encourage widespread participation and help create a cooler, greener city for everyone.
The NENA Environment Committee has undertaken tree planting as another of its long-term initiatives. If you wish to learn more about this initiative or others, please email us at environment@nokomiseast.org, call us at (612) 724-5652, or attend our monthly meeting on Zoom on the third Monday of the month from 6-7 p.m. More details at https://www.nokomiseast.org/environment.