About Us
Since 1976 Tree Trust has been bringing people together to create positive, lasting changes in their lives and in their communities.
We do this because we believe there is a need — now more than ever — for us to actively engage in preserving a quality of life beyond our own lifetime. And we believe that amazing things happen when people connect with one another and the natural world.
Every day Tree Trust is investing in a better future. We work in partnership with young people and adults to improve their lives and transform the green landscapes of our communities.
The Community
From Minneapolis and St. Paul to the suburbs to rural Minnesota, we're leaving lasting improvements in your parks, nature areas, schools, neighborhood spaces, community agencies and backyards.
The Environment
Projects like staircases and retaining walls control erosion. Removing buckthorn gives native plants a chance to thrive. Creating trails and boardwalks make our parks more accessible and enjoyable. Building LEED-certified houses conserves energy and natural resources. Planting thousands of new trees each year and removing dead and diseased trees preserves and protects our community forest.
The People
Job-trainees develop skills to take to their next job. Youth spend the summer working hard in their communities. Young adults find direction while learning a trade. Parents connect back into the workforce. Students develop an ethic of environmental stewardship. Volunteers connect with each other and their local environment.
History
Tree Trust was created in 1976 to address two problems in our communities: the devastation of the urban tree canopy due to Dutch elm disease and the high unemployment and poverty rates for youth and adults at the time. We began combating these issues by providing out-of-work individuals with training and paid jobs reforesting the community.
Since then we have expanded to offer integrated employment training, community forestry and environmental education programs.
Mission
Our mission is to improve the community environment by investing in people.
By merging lives and landscapes, our programs...
- provide meaningful opportunities for greening our local community
- give youth the chance to experience success, boost their self-confidence and find direction
- teach practical job skills to help adults re-shape their lives
- help neighbors understand and connect with each other and the natural world
Accomplishments
Tree Trust is recognized nationally as one of the leading nonprofit organizations that involves diverse urban populations in employment, community forestry and environmental programs.
Since 1976 we have...
- provided job training and employment for 32,000 young people and 10,000 adults
- completed hundreds of park maintenance, landscaping and construction projects
- planted 72,000 trees and shrubs in schools, parks and community areas
- increased awareness and educated 115,000 students, teachers and community members about the importance of trees and green spaces to the health and vitality of a community
Our Board of Directors
G. Rolf Svendsen, Chair
Vice President/Investments, Stifel Nicolaus
Donald C. Willeke, Vice Chair
Partner, Willeke & Daniels
Charlie Kramer, Treasurer
Bob Hand, Secretary
Retired, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
View complete list of Board of Directors
Our Chief Executive Officer
In February 2010 our dear friend and Chief Executive Officer, Dave Hawes, passed away after a brave eight-month battle with cancer.
Dave dedicated his entire career to Tree Trust. He joined us in 1978 as an eager young forester who spent his days replacing trees lost to Dutch elm disease and helping out-of-work young people find positive direction in their lives. Dave was so dedicated to our mission that he stayed on with us for 32 years doing two of the things he loved most: making the Twin Cities a little greener and helping people make their lives a little better. We will remember Dave for his heart and passion for people, and we are forever grateful for what he's done for Tree Trust and the community.
We have experienced a great loss. Yet in honor of Dave's commitment to Tree Trust, we must move forward with our mission.
Our Board of Directors is currently engaged in a search for a Chief Executive Officer who will lead Tree Trust in the years ahead. In the interim, Norm Champ will act as Managing Vice President. Norm has been with Tree Trust since 1977, overseeing our employment training programs and working alongside Dave to help grow the organization to what it is today.
Our Leadership Team
Managing Vice President, Norm Champ
Norm Champ joined Tree Trust in 1977 and is current acting as Managing Vice President after serving as Tree Trust's Vice President of Programming.
As Managing Vice President he reports to Tree Trust's Board of Directors and is accountable for the company's fiscal responsibility, compliance, oversight of leadership staff, and overall achievement of the company's mission. He also acts as primary liaison with youth program funding agencies; oversees recruitment, training and support for program staff, youth and young adults employed through Tree Trust's programs, as well as our urban forestry and adult welfare-to-work programs.
Champ earned his B.S. in Secondary Education from the University of Minnesota. He has nearly 30 years of experience in training, business development, working directly with at-risk youth and adult populations, leadership and executive management. He serves on the Youth Councils of the Hennepin and Dakota Counties, as well as the Hennepin County Workforce Investment Board.
Director of Finance and Human Resources,
Deborah Angelucci
Deborah Angelucci joined Tree Trust in 2008 as Manager of Finance and Human Resources and was promoted in January 2009 to her current position. Prior to joining the organization she acted as the Business Manager for the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center in St. Paul.
As Director of Finance and Human Resources she is responsible for managing and overseeing Tree Trust's accounting and human resource departments.
She has 15 years of experience in nonprofit accounting, human resource management, administration and development. Angelucci holds a B.A. in Communications from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Director of Development and Marketing, Tracie Huhn
Tracie Huhn joined Tree Trust in 2008 and was promoted to her current position after serving as Tree Trust's Development Officer. Prior to joining the organization she acted as Director of Grants for Catholic Charities Community Services in Arizona.
As Director of Development and Marketing she is responsible for planning and implementing all fundraising and marketing strategies for Tree Trust's programs.
She has 11 years of experience in program management, directly working with diverse populations of at-risk youth and adults, communications, grants management, fundraising and project management. Huhn holds a B.A. in Psychology and Women's Studies from Arizona State University, and a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Director of Forestry and Conservation Corps,
Dave Nozal
Dave Nozal joined Tree Trust in 1992 and was promoted to his current position after serving as Tree Trust's Manager of Employment Programs.
As Director of Forestry and Conservation Corps, he supervises forestry and employment program staff, develops landscape and urban forestry construction projects and interfaces with park managers, civic leaders and school personnel. He also manages IT support.
He has 16 years of experience in directly working with at-risk youth and adult populations, project development, program planning, and management. Nozal has a B.A. in Information Technology in Management from Concordia College and is a certified arborist.
Director of Operations and Landscape Services,
Jared Smith
Jared Smith joined Tree Trust in 1996. Prior to acting as Director of Operations and Landscape Services, he acted as Manager of Operations and Earned Income.
In his current position he is responsible for management and oversight of Tree Trust's operating support functions and Landscape Services Division.
He has over 10 years of experience in project management, training, working directly with at-risk youth and adult populations, landscape contracting and managing equipment and vehicle fleets. Smith holds a B.A. in Geology from Gustavus Adolfus College of St. Peter, Minnesota, is a licensed general contractor, and is a certified segmental block wall installer.
Annual Reports
Perusing our annual reports is a great way to get to know Tree Trust. Click on the year to view a PDF of the report.
Contributors
Please visit our Contributors page for a list of corporations, foundations and organizations that funded us in 2009.
Contact Us
Administrative Offices
Tree Trust
2350 Wycliff Street
Suite 200
St. Paul MN 55114
Phone: 651-644-5800
Fax: 651-644-1469
If you have questions, call us or fill out the form below and we will get back to you. For specific project inquiries, please use our project inquiries form.
