Twin Cities Climate Resiliency Initiative
Green Cities Accord’s Twin Cities Climate Resiliency Initiative is a public/private partnership focused on significantly expanding the urban tree canopy across Minneapolis and the 7 county Twin Cities metropolitan area. Designed to address the most harmful impacts of climate change on our region’s residents, it is a 20 year vision to increase the Metro area’s tree canopy by 30% through planting and maintaining millions of additional trees on public and private lands. This initiative includes identifying new funding sources for tree planting and maintenance, including establishing Minnesota’s first urban tree carbon offset program.
Urban Tree Carbon Offset Program
Our carbon offset program is designed to increase funding to plant and protect urban trees through the sale of high-quality carbon offsets generated by the planting and protection of urban trees. Revenue generated by the sale of offsets is invested into future tree planting and maintenance.
Climate Change and Urban Trees
Climate change is threatening residents of the Twin Cities, with hotter temperatures, destructive storms, extreme precipitation events, flooding, and changing ecosystems. In particular, the Twin Cities urban tree canopy is in decline due to climate change and other threats such as invasive pests like the emerald ash borer, increased development and lack of tree funding.
A key strategy for mitigating the effects of climate change is to expand the urban tree canopy coverage. Trees sequester carbon, capture stormwater, filter air pollutants, cool streets and buildings, and provide wildlife habitat. Our tree canopy will continue to decline without action.
The urban tree canopy is an essential component of infrastructure that keeps our cities livable and economically vibrant – on par with transit systems, water systems and electricity grids. Growing and maintaining an urban tree canopy is one of the most effective and cost efficient technologies for making cities more sustainable and climate resilient.
Partner with Green Cities Accord
Green Cities Accord can assist you with building your capacity for growing and protecting the urban tree canopy. We have the holistic ability to fundraise, advocate and facilitate projects on behalf of our partners. Contact us to get started!