100 Trees Initiative
Addressing Climate Resiliency in the Zone
CEZ’s 100 Trees Initiative is an grassroots effort to grow and plant street trees to expand the urban tree canopy and reduce the heat island effect in Saint Paul’s Creative Enterprise Zone (South Saint Anthony Park.)
Since 2021, the 100 Trees Initiative has….
Planted 300 new street trees on public boulevards in the Zone.
Grown bareroot trees in gravel beds and for replanting.
Purchased a 600 gallon mobile watering trailer.
Piloted a weekly district-wide tree watering program with the help of volunteers and AmeriCorps members.
Implemented a tree health monitoring program.
Launched the CEZ Tree Guild, a monthly meet-up for tree lovers.
Been showcased in a Star Tribune newspaper article on grassroots tree projects in the Twin Cities.
Enlisted support from our tree partners, sponsors, neighbors, and friends. Volunteer or donate using this link!
Learn More, Get involved! Check out our planting map and reports below, our event calendar here, volunteer opportunities via POINT, CEZ’s monthly e-newsletter , or contact us at info@creativeenterprisezone.org.
Summer 2020/2021 Twin Cities Heat Islands
Temperatures above the average for the whole city
Why more trees?
If you look at a map of our largely industrial district, you’ll notice a dramatic lack of trees. This makes our area of Saint Paul a “heat island,” meaning temperatures are higher than in areas with more trees. This lack of green space can also elevate local flood risks.
Trees can intercept and absorb rainwater before it has a chance to overwhelm storm infrastructure. They improve air and water quality, public health, and well-being, and the Creative Enterprise Zone needs more of them.
What we do
2022 Twin Cities Localized Flood Risk
Risk of overwhelming stormwater infrastructure
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Each spring, we plant bare root trees in an irrigated “gravel bed” which will be harvested for planting in the fall. Over the summer, these trees develop healthy root systems, encouraging improved survival rates in the urban environment.
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Every October we host a tree planting day, at which community volunteers plant 100 trees in public boulevards and private land throughout the Creative Enterprise Zone (South Saint Anthony Park).
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We water trees the first two years after planting and provide supplementary pruning, mulching, supportive staking, and health monitoring 3-5 years after planting.
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We engage community members in environmental stewardship through educational forums, volunteer activities and workshops.
100 Trees Sponsors & Partners
#MakeTreesHappen
Your support is needed! Help us cover the cost of care, maintenance, harvesting, planting and watering of new boulevard trees in the Zone.
Donate to the 100 Trees Initiative using button below or by sending a check to: Creative Enterprise Zone, 2171 University Ave W. - Suite 100, Saint Paul, MN 55114.
Urban Forestry Resources
Educational Guides
Midwest Tree Owners Manual (US Forest Service)
Tree Steward Training Manual (Virginia Urban Forest Council)
All About Gravel Beds (UMN UFOR Nursery & Lab)
Tree Guild Presentations
Species Selection Lists
Climate Change Vulnerability (National Institute for Applied Climate Science)
Salt Sensitivity (Page 5, University of Minnesota)
Gravel Bed Suitability (University of Minnesota)
Native Yard Trees for a Changing Climate (MN DNR)
Best Plants for 30 Tough Sites (UMN Extension, Master Gardeners)
Introducing: The Mobile Tree Watering Project
Watering new trees in the Zone just got easier!
Thanks to the generosity of our tree-minded community, the CEZ is now the proud owner of a new 600-gallon watering trailer — a community asset that can be shared with our partners for the long-term care and survival of new trees.
This investment was made possible with individual donations, including a timely challenge grant and special one-time gift from the Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation.
