Forestry

Forestry Program

Minnesota contains 17.7 million acres of forest land, and the Bloomington Chapter House’s woods are a part of it. And it isn’t just trees in our forests: it’s trees everywhere, like the ones in our neighborhoods. With this in mind, the Green Crew endeavors to protect the native tree life of Minnesota through any capacity, but we’ve kept our solutions equitable and achievable through rewilding, a method that encourages native biodiversity.

Elm Tree Restoration

In 2023, the Green Crew planted 83 Elm Trees that were identified by the University of Minnesota as resistant to Dutch Elm’s Disease. The planting was the first attempted elm tree reforestation that wasn’t on University of Minnesota property, and it’s an ongoing project. Because this is a field test, continual monitoring of the trees is necessary with data collection on trunk diameter, signs of life above the graft line, and measuring height.

Restoration is a huge task, but with the Green Crew, it becomes more manageable! This project is a crucial step towards the reforestation of American Elms and reintroducing the benefits of these hardy trees, like their carbon sequestration advantages and the shade from their canopies. It’s also a great step for people interested in field studies and partnerships between nonprofits and universities.

As featured in the Star Tribune

Buckthorn Removal

Buckthorn is one of many invasive species in Minnesota, and it’s commonly found in deep shade and wet areas. It creates competition with native species and alters the soil pH where its roots are. Overall, it’s harmful to the ecosystem. Unfortunately, it’s everywhere.

In this project, we map out a defined section of the area around our Chapter House, mark every buckthorn in that area, and focus on eliminating buckthorn in teams. We handle giant clippers and mini ones, and an herbicide that’s been evaluated to be the best possible management tactic. It’s undeniably a team event—great to get to know people and to do some invasive species removal!

Tree Equity

Tree equity

Tree equity is about ensuring all communities, regardless of income or background, have equal access to the benefits of a healthy tree canopy. In this project, we aim to improve tree equity by planting non-invasive, disease-resistant trees—particularly in urban areas that lack sufficient greenery. We’ve already started in the City of Landfall, where we selected tree species based on local soil and environmental conditions.

Our team focuses on planting trees that are resilient to Dutch elm disease and do not outcompete native plants. The work includes site planning, digging, mulching, and watering, all while learning more about urban ecology. It’s a hands-on way to tackle environmental inequality and build greener, healthier neighborhoods—together.

Bio Watch

The BioWatch Project consists of a dynamic network of wildlife cameras across partner properties under agreement with the Green Crew. By carefully tracking animal movements, densities, and behaviors, our goal is to identify ecological challenges to inspire and develop targeted conservation projects.

Project leaders and volunteers will place wildlife cameras in groups of three to ensure comprehensive coverage of each monitored area. We gather and analyze data, learn to identify individual animals, and integrate these observations with broader environmental insights. This rich knowledge base helps us detect issues early, facilitating informed action to protect and restore our ecosystems.

The Green Crew is a youth-led environmental leadership and conservation service program. We are an initiative of the Minnesota Valley Chapter of the IWLA. Our leadership team operates in association with Scouting America.