TNC Completes Largest-Ever Tree Planting Season in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota (TNC) planted 3.2 million tree seedlings across northern Minnesota this spring in partnership with the Superior and Chippewa National Forests, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and Lake, St. Louis and Carlton counties. It was the largest planting season in the organization's history.

Planted across 5,586 acres of public land, the seedlings will help create more diverse forests that are better able to withstand threats including wildfire, pests, disease and a changing climate.

"This year’s wildfires have underscored how vulnerable some of our forests have become," said Jim Manolis, director of forest strategy and stewardship for The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota. "When forests become dominated by a small number of tree species, they're more vulnerable to insect outbreaks, disease and severe fire. By planting a greater diversity of species today, we're supporting the future forests of Minnesota so they continue providing habitat for wildlife, protecting clean water and sustaining recreation and local economies."

Planting sites included areas recovering from intense wildfires, forests impacted by emerald ash borer, and lands bordering Highway 61 and along waterways, where trees help protect clean water and trout habitat. Some sites are also being restored to benefit moose and other wildlife habitat. This year, TNC planted 263,000 trees in response to the 2025 Camp House and Jenkins Creek fires and are working with partners to identify opportunities to assist with restoration following this year’s wildfires.

Since 2005, The Nature Conservancy has planted more than 16 million trees across northern Minnesota to strengthen forest resilience, improve wildlife habitat and help forests regenerate. Twenty different native and climate-adapted species were planted, including white pine, white spruce, red pine, red oak, jack pine, white cedar, paper birch and yellow birch. Guided by science, foresters select species that are best suited to each site while also considering future climate conditions and threats. Some seedlings are grown from seed collected farther south, where the climate more closely resembles conditions projected for northern Minnesota in coming decades.

The record-setting effort was completed by four skilled crews during a 49-day spring planting season. Together, 58 crew members planted the seedlings by hand, totaling more than 50,000 trees planted by each person.

But planting trees is only one part of a year-round forest resilience strategy. Throughout the summer and fall, crews protect young seedlings from deer browsing through bud capping and fencing and use brush saws to reduce competing vegetation around established plantings, helping trees access the light and resources they need to thrive. Crews may continue returning to planting sites for years to help young forests become established.

In the fall, TNC works with partners to collect tree seeds for future restoration efforts. Last year alone, crews collected more than 3,000 pounds of cones and seeds, which were sent to nurseries to grow the next generation of climate-resilient forests. 

"Planting more than 3.2 million trees in a single season is only possible through strong partnerships and the dedication of skilled planting crews," said Manolis. "But the real measure of success is whether those forests are thriving 20, 50 or 100 years from now. That's why we're focused not just on planting trees, but on growing forests that can withstand future challenges."