Our science-based best practices to restore and sustainably manage over 10,000 acres of land each year, with a focus on:
Land Restoration and Sustainable Management
Tangible, Hands-On Land Restoration and Sustainable Land Management Practices
Natural Lands
We work with all habitat types found in Minnesota: prairies and grasslands, forests, oak savannas and woodlands, partnering with landowners and communities every step of the way.
Community and Urban Lands
Restoring and revitalizing urban and community green spaces to provide pollinator habitat, expand tree canopy, and engage communities in planting and environmental learning.
Farm and Agricultural Lands
Partnering with farmers and agricultural communities through community collaboratives, technical assistance, field education, and peer-to-peer networking to support regenerative agriculture practices.
Waters and Wetlands
Restoring native shorelines, wetlands, and creeksides to reduce erosion, increase biodiversity, filter runoff, improve water quality, and protect one of our most important resources— water.
Learn more about our biochar initiative and the benefits of it as part of natural systems management.
Biochar is a type of charcoal produced by heating organic material in a high-temperature, low-oxygen environment. We are one of the few experts in Minnesota on how to process and utilize biochar in natural systems restoration.
We’ve restored and sustainably managed over 62,000 acres of Minnesota’s green spaces and aim to reach 100,000 acres by 2030.
The threats to Minnesota’s green spaces are here, and collectively we can make positive changes to turn this around!
Our goal is big and bold: healthy, climate change resilient ecosystems throughout Minnesota with equitable access and benefits for all Minnesotans.
Our strategic Vision for 2030 has the goal of supporting all 87 counties in Minnesota with our science-based land restoration and sustainable management.
Since 1995, Great River Greening has restored thousands of acres of land in more than 400 natural areas across Minnesota. As we look forward, our ecologists lead with deep partnerships to extend tree canopies; create habitats where native plants thrive; support sustainable agriculture partnerships; and educate the next generation of environmental stewards.
This interactive map highlights Great River Greening projects throughout Minnesota in 2025.
Explore our project geographies.
Questions or comments about a project site? Click here to find and contact the grant manager.
To learn more about our work by region, contact our conservation team:
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Central Minnesota
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Twin Cities Metro
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Southern Minnesota
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Statewide
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Statewide
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Statewide
Greening Projects and Initiatives
Don’t see the project you’re looking for?
Reach out to one of our program managers listed above or contact us.
FAQs
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Greening has been planting trees since our start in 1995 with a community-driven project along the Mississippi River in Saint Paul called Greening the Great River.
The organization officially became a non-profit organization in Minnesota in 1999, securing its 501(c)(3) under the name Great River Greening.
Since then, Great River Greening has restored thousands of acres of land in more than 400 natural areas across Minnesota.
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Greening has restored thousands of acres of land in more than 400 natural areas across Minnesota. As we look forward, our ecologists lead with deep partnerships to extend tree canopies; create habitats where native plants thrive; support sustainable agriculture partnerships; and educate the next generation of environmental stewards. Check out our interactive map (above) of project sites or reach out to our staff if you’re interested in a project in your community! We are open to partnerships throughout the entire state of Minnesota.
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We would love to have your involvement. There are several ways that you can take action on climate change and support healthy, resilient ecosystems in your Minnesota community:
Your involvement makes a meaningful difference!
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Restoring and protecting nature is a powerful t strategy for tackling climate change. Land restoration can help fight climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in the ground through a process called carbon sequestration.
Healthy ecosystems can absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Greening also uses climate-smart practices, including utilizing biochar kilns, storing even more carbon.
Forests, wetlands, and prairies also act as buffers against extreme weather, protecting houses, crops, water supplies and more.
By supporting Great River Greening’s work, YOU can solve climate change through nature with climate smart, nature-based solutions.
Learn more about our climate impact on our Vision for 2030 page.
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Greening does not own any of the land we work on. Our projects are carried out on land owned by a variety of partners, including cities, counties, soil and water conservation districts, schools, corporations, the State of Minnesota, the federal government, and individuals.
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Yes, to explore restoring your land, reach out to us through our Greening Solutions program! We work on properties of at least three acres and support a variety of land restoration projects.
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Greening is an environmental nonprofit organization in Minnesota focused primarily on restoring habitats. Other environmental organizations focus on advocacy or land acquisition. Great River Greening may partner with these organizations but we are an outdoor restoration organization in Minnesota and our focus remains on restoration and sustainable management.