Tree Trust 50th Anniversary
Tree Trust Celebrates 50 Years
Our Journey Through Time
Founded as Twin Cities Tree Trust
Tree Trust officially incorporated on March 16, 1976.
Summer Youth Employment Program is Launched
Tree Trust was founded with a dual focus: training young people for meaningful work and planting trees for a healthy urban forest. Programs in the early years employed young people during the summer to carry out outdoor projects in public places. 1400 youth worked in suburban Hennepin County in the summer of 1977.
Trees, Trees, Trees
Tree Trust established nurseries in several local cities where youth crews planted, nurtured and out-planted hundreds of trees to replace those that were lost to Dutch elm disease until 1986. We maintain a gravel bed nursery in Eagan that supports our Community Forestry work.
Summer Youth Built the State's First Floating Boardwalk
St. Louis Park needed a 1200-foot floating boardwalk built at Westwood Hills Nature Center. Tree Trust youth crews, guided by trained staff, built a high-quality boardwalk that allowed the public to better utilize the nature center, and a partnership was born that continues to this day.
Began Adult Employment Program and Hired Full-time Permanent Staff
Hennepin County asked Tree Trust to expand programming beyond youth to provide employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged and hard-to-employ adults aged 18-50. By offering a similar crew-based program year-round rather than just in the summer, Tree Trust added permanent year-round staff. The Adult program ended in 1996, serving more than 1,000 adults in some years.
Tree Trust Outreach Programs Initiated
To refocus Tree Trust efforts and legacy on urban trees, a new program, currently referred to as Community Forestry, was started. Through education and hands-on opportunities, Tree Trust began to offer citizens the chance to actively participate in the planning, planting, and maintenance of their trees, both on private and public lands. Education and hands on opportunities equipped people with the skills and knowledge to invest in their communities through urban forestry.
Learning With Trees Begins
The program currently known as Learning With Trees began with a tree planting event at Central High School in St. Paul.
A New Name!
"Twin Cities" was dropped from the name, giving Tree Trust a broader state-wide identity.
Ramp Program Started
The Ramps Program helps people with mobility challenges live independently at home by building customized, high-quality accessibility ramps and low-tread steps. This is available at no cost to homeowners who qualify.
Partnership with the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority Began
Since 2000, Tree Trust has partnered with the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority (HCRRA) to steward 40 miles of rail corridors while creating hands-on workforce training opportunities for young people. These corridors serve as a real‑world outdoor classroom, where youth and young adults gain comprehensive arboriculture experience—from tree planting to long‑term management—while supporting public infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and career pathways in urban forestry.
Young Adult Conservation Corps Started
A new job training program was launched for older youth who were not in school and were unemployed or underemployed. This program helped young adults move toward self-sufficiency by providing training in advanced construction and landscaping skills and job search support. One of the initial projects they participated on was an award-winning 500 seat amphitheater at a YMCA camp in Prior Lake.
Launch of Tree Trust Landscape Services
Launched in 2004, Tree Trust Landscape Services is a social enterprise that supports our Career Pathways and Community Forestry initiatives through earned income and project collaboration. The Landscape Services team includes ISA-certified arborists and construction and lawn/snow care teams. Serving commercial, public, and residential clients, they specialize in snow removal, tree services, lawn care, landscape construction, and accessibility ramps.
Tree Trust's Current Logo and Tagline Adopted
Over the years, Tree Trust has built on its dual mission: improving the community environment while investing in people. In 2006, we adopted our current logo and the tagline Transforming Lives and Landscapes.
Tree Trust YouthBuild Started
Partnering with Habitat for Humanity, one of the first YouthBuild cohorts traveled to New Orleans to help build a house. In 2019, Tree Trust YouthBuild was the first U.S. Department of Labor funded program to include an Arborist Training Program.
Minneapolis Tree Sale Began
Tree Trust first partnered with the City of Minneapolis in 2006, providing 1,500 affordable trees for residents to plant at home. This program has expanded to other cities. See our current partners.
Launched the Green Futures Fund
Green Futures currently supports Community Tree Plantings, Learning with Trees and Municipal Tree Distributions.
Employment Programs Rebranded JobPrep
Tree Trust rebranded its employment training programs to the catchy name JobPrep. In 2020, we evolved the name to Career Pathways to better reflect our commitment to preparing young people for high‑wage, in‑demand careers.
Landscape Services Launched Registered Arborist Apprenticeship
Landscape Services' Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Registered Arborist Apprenticeship Program approved, which provides a direct pathway into a in-demand career with no educational debt.
Tree Trust Impact Continues During COVID
The COVID-19 pandemic tested our community in unprecedented ways. Through resilience and innovation, Tree Trust adapted our programs to safely continue transforming lives and landscapes.
City of Saint Paul Partnership
Through a partnership with the City of Saint Paul, Tree Trust responded to the emerald ash borer crisis while creating workforce development opportunities for young people. Together, we planted thousands of trees for a greener future.
Celebrating 50 Years!
Transforming the Next 50 Years carries the legacy forward by focusing on what communities need now and next: future‑ready green careers, environmental stewardship, and stronger, more resilient neighborhoods.
Tree Trust Celebrates 50 Years
Our Journey Through Time
Founded as Twin Cities Tree Trust
Tree Trust officially incorporated on March 16, 1976.
Summer Youth Employment Program is Launched
Tree Trust was founded with a dual focus: training young people for meaningful work and planting trees for a healthy urban forest. Programs in the early years employed young people during the summer to carry out outdoor projects in public places. 1400 youth worked in suburban Hennepin County in the summer of 1977.
Trees, Trees, Trees
Tree Trust established nurseries in several local cities where youth crews planted, nurtured and out-planted hundreds of trees to replace those that were lost to Dutch elm disease until 1986. We maintain a gravel bed nursery in Eagan that supports our Community Forestry work.
Summer Youth Built the State's First Floating Boardwalk
St. Louis Park needed a 1200-foot floating boardwalk built at Westwood Hills Nature Center. Tree Trust youth crews, guided by trained staff, built a high-quality boardwalk that allowed the public to better utilize the nature center, and a partnership was born that continues to this day.
Began Adult Employment Program and Hired Full-time Permanent Staff
Hennepin County asked Tree Trust to expand programming beyond youth to provide employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged and hard-to-employ adults aged 18-50. By offering a similar crew-based program year-round rather than just in the summer, Tree Trust added permanent year-round staff. The Adult program ended in 1996, serving more than 1,000 adults in some years.
Tree Trust Outreach Programs Initiated
To refocus Tree Trust efforts and legacy on urban trees, a new program, currently referred to as Community Forestry, was started. Through education and hands-on opportunities, Tree Trust began to offer citizens the chance to actively participate in the planning, planting, and maintenance of their trees, both on private and public lands. Education and hands on opportunities equipped people with the skills and knowledge to invest in their communities through urban forestry.
Learning With Trees Begins
The program currently known as Learning With Trees began with a tree planting event at Central High School in St. Paul.
A New Name!
"Twin Cities" was dropped from the name, giving Tree Trust a broader state-wide identity.
Ramp Program Started
The Ramps Program helps people with mobility challenges live independently at home by building customized, high-quality accessibility ramps and low-tread steps. This is available at no cost to homeowners who qualify.
Partnership with the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority Began
Since 2000, Tree Trust has partnered with the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority (HCRRA) to steward 40 miles of rail corridors while creating hands-on workforce training opportunities for young people. These corridors serve as a real-world outdoor classroom, where youth and young adults gain comprehensive arboriculture experience-from tree planting to long-term management-while supporting public infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and career pathways in urban forestry.
Young Adult Conservation Corps Started
A new job training program was launched for older youth who were not in school and were unemployed or underemployed. This program helped young adults move toward self-sufficiency by providing training in advanced construction and landscaping skills and job search support. One of the initial projects they participated on was an award-winning 500 seat amphitheater at a YMCA camp in Prior Lake.
Launch of Tree Trust Landscape Services
Launched in 2004, Tree Trust Landscape Services is a social enterprise that supports our Career Pathways and Community Forestry initiatives through earned income and project collaboration. The Landscape Services team includes ISA-certified arborists and construction and lawn/snow care teams. Serving commercial, public, and residential clients, they specialize in snow removal, tree services, lawn care, landscape construction, and accessibility ramps.
Tree Trust's Current Logo and Tagline Adopted
Over the years, Tree Trust has built on its dual mission: improving the community environment while investing in people. In 2006, we adopted our current logo and the tagline Transforming Lives and Landscapes.
Tree Trust YouthBuild Started
Partnering with Habitat for Humanity, one of the first YouthBuild cohorts traveled to New Orleans to help build a house. In 2019, Tree Trust YouthBuild was the first U.S. Department of Labor funded program to include an Arborist Training Program.
Minneapolis Tree Sale Began
Tree Trust first partnered with the City of Minneapolis in 2006, providing 1,500 affordable trees for residents to plant at home. This program has expanded to other cities. See our current partners.
Launched the Green Futures Fund
Green Futures currently supports Community Tree Plantings, Learning with Trees and Municipal Tree Distributions.
Employment Programs Rebranded JobPrep
Tree Trust rebranded its employment training programs to the catchy name JobPrep. In 2020, we evolved the name to Career Pathways to better reflect our commitment to preparing young people for high-wage, in-demand careers.
Landscape Services Launched Registered Arborist Apprenticeship
Landscape Services' Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Registered Arborist Apprenticeship Program approved, which provides a direct pathway into a in-demand career with no educational debt.
Tree Trust Impact Continues During COVID
The COVID-19 pandemic tested our community in unprecedented ways. Through resilience and innovation, Tree Trust adapted our programs to safely continue transforming lives and landscapes.
City of Saint Paul Partnership
Through a partnership with the City of Saint Paul, Tree Trust responded to the emerald ash borer crisis while creating workforce development opportunities for young people. Together, we planted thousands of trees for a greener future.
Celebrating 50 Years!
Transforming the Next 50 Years carries the legacy forward by focusing on what communities need now and next: future-ready green careers, environmental stewardship, and stronger, more resilient neighborhoods.
SAVE THE DATE!
Tree Trust at 50
Celebrate the programs, partnerships, and purpose powering what’s next.
Join us for an inspiring event at our Eagan facility featuring fun and food!
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Stay tuned for details!
Watch this video to learn more about Tree Trust’s history!
Tree Trust 50th Anniversary Store
Share in the celebration of Tree Trust's 50th Anniversary and purchase your official merch from our store!
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