DATE: January 16, 2025
For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Stephanie Trottier
(763) 271-3202 | Stephanie.Trottier@MonticelloMN.gov
Monticello, MN – The City of Monticello has been awarded an $81,160 grant by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to strengthen the City’s urban tree population, with a focus on community engagement and involvement.
The DNR’s Centering Communities in Canopy Solutions grant program aims to increase urban canopies within specific areas, while encouraging community participation in local forestry projects. The grant does not require matching funds, allowing the City to fully dedicate this resource to the maintenance and expansion of the local tree canopy, without requiring the contribution of local funds.
The grant provides essential funding for the City’s continued response to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive insect detected in Monticello in March 2022. The grant will fund the planting of 200 diverse trees in the area east of Highway 25 to County Road 18 along 7th Street East and adjacent cross streets. This initiative will enable Monticello to proactively replant areas affected by EAB, rather than only tree removal, ensuring a balanced distribution of trees throughout the project area. The tree planting will enhance the area by increasing tree cover along the pedestrian trail system and street corridors within the Monticello rights-of-way project area. The benefits will be significant, including improved air quality, reduced heat, increased neighborhood aesthetics and property values, and greater accessibility to nature.
The tree planting will be part of the overall Strengthening Trees through Inclusive Community Knowledge (STICK) program, led by the Parks, Arts, and Recreation Department. Community engagement is at the heart of the STICK program. Starting this spring, the City will connect with residents and hold a series of interactive public workshops led by the Davey Resource Group, an environmental consulting group. The workshops will cover tree care, soil science, and the role of trees in mitigating climate change impacts.
The program will also feature a collaboration with Monticello High School. The school’s agricultural students will receive specialized training from the Davey Resource Group, preparing them to become effective stewards of their urban forest. They will participate in hands-on learning by fabricating the deep-watering pipes for each tree and planting trees with volunteers mid-April to May 2025. The students will adopt and monitor the trees using the City’s TreeKeeper software. This includes collecting rainfall measurements for adequate watering and assisting with mulching efforts. In the fall, students will return to document tree growth and health metrics.
Tom Pawelk, Parts, Arts, and Recreation Director shares, “Instilling a sense of tree stewardship in children is best achieved through hands-on experiences, such as planting trees. This approach not only teaches them about environmental responsibility but also allows them to make a meaningful contribution to their community. By participating in these activities, kids forge connections with future generations, cultivating a shared sense of purpose that bridges the gap between ages.”
The STICK program’s budget includes contractor costs, outreach and educational materials, supplies and equipment, staff time, and the cost for planting two hundred trees, including site preparation – all eligible grant expenses.
We invite the Monticello community to engage with us in strengthening our community’s trees. There will be opportunities to attend public workshops and to volunteer for tree planting efforts. For updates and volunteer opportunities, information will be available on the City website as planning begins: MonticelloMN.gov.
The City of Monticello is committed to maintaining and expanding its urban tree canopy to enhance our community’s well-being. We extend our gratitude to the Minnesota DNR for their support in promoting urban forestry.
View the STICK Program Project Area Map
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