Think trees and think spring!

Mar. 1, 2008

Thank you again for your interest in the Million Tree Project. As of the end of February we have placed our order for 10,000 trees to be planted this spring in a demonstration project. The trees include Chokecherry, Cottonwood, Hackberry, Basswood, Maple, and Oak. We are leaning toward the third weekend in April 19-20 as a planting date. More information on that will follow as the weather settles. We remind you to be rounding up spades and plastic milk jugs for water prior to the planting date. We are still in negotiations with MnDOT for the planting sites and when they are confirmed, maps and locations will be forwarded to you.

If you know of anyone who would appreciate being sent our updates and who is not currently receiving them, please notify us at this e-mail address. If you and your planting team need an alternate planting date other than a weekend, please reply to this e-mail with numbers of planters and what times work best for you in the week before April 19.

It appears that we have just enough pledges and contributions to cover the expenses for our planting this spring. Any funds you or your friends can raise will still be greatly appreciated and will be applied to next year’s planting as the Million Tree Project will not stop until a million trees have been planted! Send all tax-deductible contributions to: Million Tree Project, 501 S. Second St., Mankato, MN 56001. — Tom Hagen

One Million Trees by 2020

Before:

Join the reforestation project for the greater Mankato and North Mankato area! Anyone can participate: groups, businesses, schools, families, individuals. It's fun, wholesome and for the future!

After:

Benefits of reforestation:

• Beautification
• Carbon sequestration
• Wildlife habitat protection
• Summer cooling
• Groundwater recharge and soil stabilization
• Fuel savings (no mowing required!)
• Noise abatement

Contributions Needed:

• Seedlings
• Cash contributions
• Individuals, youth, civic, and school groups to volunteer to plant seedlings in April
• Citizens to supervise volunteers and groups in planting
• Citizens to organize and coordinate planting

To contribute time or trees, or to adopt a reforestation site for you or your group, call Malda Farnham at 507-345-7339. Or make your tax deductible contribution to:

Centenary Million Tree Project
c/o Centenary Methodist Church
501 S. Second St.
Mankato, MN 56001

What the media say:

• "Help the planet, plant a tree" — Mankato Free Press, January 21, 2008
• "Work begins on million tree project" — Mankato Free Press, January 14, 2008

For more info email Tom Hagen.

The Million Tree Project is co-sponsored by Citizens’ Voices with support from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. Promotional and publicity assistance comes from Creative Ad Solutions.

For more about the benefits of reforestation, read this chapter from Lester Brown's Plan B 3.0.

Details:

1. Seedlings will arrive in April.
2. Actual date of seedling arrival will be determined by weather conditions and you will be notified by phone when they are available, so your contact phone number is critical. Each group contact person will be responsible for notifying their group members of time, place to meet, and what to bring. Groups for planting should be 10-15 persons.
3. A master gardener will be available to give a demonstration of the planting technique on the day and time scheduled for the group planting.
4. Each group will be asked to plant 1000 trees, requiring a commitment of 2-3 hours. Some follow-up of the plantings may be required depending on weather conditions.