2022 Annual Report

Leaning into Minnesota’s Climate Future

In 2022, Great River Greening expanded our number of restoration sites across Minnesota by 23% and engaged more than 3,500 community members in the restoration and stewardship of Minnesota’s natural habitats. This work moved forward all while the staff and board developed a bold new strategic Vision for 2030: healthy, climate change resilient ecosystems throughout Minnesota.

The stakeholders of Minnesota’s outdoors recognize the need to act now, within this decade, to preserve Minnesota’s natural resources and habitats. Using nature-based climate solutions, Great River Greening will restore, adapt, and sustainably manage ecosystems to address climate change, providing benefits for both people and the environment. This is an enhancement of work Great River Greening is already doing—and has been doing for nearly 30 years—and this work is critical to ensure healthy habitats into Minnesota’s climate future.

Specifically, last year we facilitated restoration on 6,438 acres across 160 project sites throughout Minnesota. In the process, we engaged 3,596 community members (2,445 adults/1,151 youth) for 7,369 hours– a $230,000 value in volunteer labor! Land restoration volunteers and staff removed invasive species like buckthorn, and planted native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Great River Greening also added new environmental education opportunities, including piloting our new Future Stewards program, to help nurture the next generation of environmental stewards in Minnesota.

Highlight Program of 2022: Future Stewards

Last year, nearly 300 students participated in Future Stewards, a program that works in partnership with three Twin Cities-based schools: Minneapolis South High School’s All Nations Program, Garlough Environmental Magnet School, and Two Rivers High School. Participants designed and built native gardens on school properties, which then served as outdoor classrooms, teaching students about the outdoors, green careers, and the natural sciences. Program activities included soil sampling, learning about and selecting plants for each garden, and working alongside peers. Students also worked with a Great River Greening ecologist who facilitated the connection between hands-on activities and school curriculum such as biology, ecology, and the cultural significance of plants. These new learning experiences gave students a glimpse of possible STEM career options, including ecologist, landscape architect, volunteer manager, field crew, and others.

Also new in 2022? Me! I officially stepped into the Executive Director role in May of 2022 after supporting the transition as Acting Executive Director since the fall of 2021. In my time leading Great River Greening so far, I have been humbled to see the individuals who support this work with their time, skills, passion, and dollars. It takes all of us to ensure healthy, resilient green spaces throughout our beautiful state.

Thank you for supporting our new, ongoing, and expanding programs throughout Minnesota!

Cheers to 2023 and beyond,