Downtown Minneapolis has been the donut hole in the city’s tree canopy for generations. Not enough trees have been planted, and too many of the trees that have been planted haven’t survived and matured. This has serious implications for public health, the urban heat island effect, our natural environment, and the beauty of our public realm. Downtown’s dense urban environment poses greater threat to fledgling trees, in the form of less water, and more heat, wind, road salt and damage potential than trees in other neighborhoods. As a result, these trees need more support. Greening Lab was formed to incite a rising tide of support and investment to change that.

Starting in 2017, Green Minneapolis has partnered with DID and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board on Greening Lab, a series of tree pilot projects geared to support the young trees planted downtown. Additional funding is contributed by the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association and individuals. Greening Lab is gathering critical data on the most effective ways to ensure that new trees thrive.