In 2020, about 200 volunteers helped plant trees at Crosby Farm Regional Park near the Mississippi River in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

They helped launch a 20-year project to determine which tree species will thrive in the region in warmer climates and more extreme rainfall.

Emma Vanhdy of the nonprofit Mississippi Park Connection coordinates volunteers for the project.

She says they have planted more than 1,000 trees in 24 research plots, some of which contain species that are already common in the area.

Vanhdy: “So mainly poplar, silver maple… and a few other native species.”

Others contain species that are more common further south, such as sycamore maple and sweetgum.

Volunteers also help maintain the plots and are responsible for on-site monitoring.

Vanhdy: “You are associated with a conspiracy and therefore know this conspiracy very well.”

They monitor the health of the trees, note when the trees bloom and shed their leaves, and measure soil moisture and temperature.

These observations help researchers determine which tree species will grow best in the region in warmer climates, allowing landowners and forest managers to plant trees that are likely to thrive over the long term.

Reporting: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media

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