Green Cities Accord (formerly Green Minneapolis) and Hennepin County partnered to plant 968 trees throughout Hennepin County between May 2020 and November 2022. The trees were planted in public rights-of-way along County streets as well as on Hennepin County Facility or tax-forfeited land where the County has the authority to plant and maintain trees. Green Minneapolis is serving as the Project Operator for this project, while Hennepin County is responsible for planting and maintenance of the trees.

Trees planted as part of this project will benefit Hennepin County residents by addressing the inequitable distribution of tree canopy, reducing urban heat island effects, mitigating air pollution, and improving stormwater management. Proceeds from the sale of carbon credits from this project will be reinvested in additional tree planting and maintenance performed by Hennepin County.

This project is a part of a wider effort known as the Twin Cities Climate Resiliency Initiative, 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 the 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.

Total Credits Issued: 204

• 2023: 204 credits issued

Total Credits Sold: 20

• 2024: 20 credits sold

Total Credits Retired: 20

• 2024: 20 credits retired

Total Credits Cancelled: 0

Total Credits Available for Purchase: 184

Co-Benefits

Trees planted as part of this project will provide ecosystem services, also known as co-benefits, when they reach 25 years old. The co-benefits represent a savings (avoided costs) of $71,683 per year when the trees reach age 25, and $1,863,752 over the next 25 to 50 years.

• Rain interception (stormwater management) – 5,186 m3/year, $37,127 per year
• Air quality – 0.15 tons/year, $649 per year
• Energy use – cooling (electricity) – 156,600 kWh/year, $11,886 per year
• Energy use – heating (natural gas) – 2,262,062 kBtu/year, $22,021 per year

Social Impacts

The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an urgent call for action and global partnership among all countries, representing key benchmarks for creating a better world and environment for everyone. Well-designed and managed urban forests make significant contributions to the environmental sustainability, economic viability and livability of cities. The main SDGs for this project are described below, with more detailed information in the Project Design Document.

Project trees were planted throughout Hennepin County to reduce air pollution from traffic and surrounding industry as well as reduce negative effects from urban heat islands.

Project trees increase the stormwater infiltration in the very developed and impervious surfaces of Hennepin County.

Trees were planted in areas that will shade homes and buildings, reducing heating and cooling costs over time.