Our science-based best practices to restore and sustainably manage over 10,000 acres of land each year, with a focus on:
Land Restoration and Sustainable Management
Tangible, Hands-On Land Restoration and Sustainable Land Management Practices
Natural Lands
Includes all habitat types found in Minnesota: prairies and grasslands, forests, oak savannas and woodlands, wetlands, and shorelines.
Community and Urban Lands
Restoring and revitalizing urban and community green to improve pollinator habitat, expands tree canopy, improves air quality, improves biodiversity, and improves water quality.
Farm and Agricultural Lands
Add your pricing strategy. Be sure to include important details like value, length of service, and why it’s unique.
Learn more about our biochar initiative and the benefits of it as part of natural systems management.
Biochar is a type of charcoal produced by heating organic material in a high-temperature, low-oxygen environment. We are one of the few experts in Minnesota on how to process and utilize biochar in natural systems restoration.
We’ve restored and sustainably managed over 50,000 acres of Minnesota’s green spaces and aim to add another 50,000 acres by 2030.
The threats to Minnesota’s green spaces are here, and collectively we can make positive changes to turn this around!
Our goal is big and bold: healthy, climate change resilient ecosystems throughout Minnesota with equitable access and benefits for all Minnesotans.
Our strategic Vision for 2030 has the goal of supporting all 87 counties in Minnesota with our science-based land restoration and sustainable management.
Since 1995, Great River Greening has restored thousands of acres of land in more than 400 natural areas across Minnesota. As we look forward, our ecologists lead with deep partnerships to extend tree canopies; create habitats where native plants thrive; support sustainable agriculture partnerships; and educate the next generation of environmental stewards.
This interactive map highlights Great River Greening projects throughout Minnesota in 2023.
Explore our project geographies.
To learn more about our work by region, contact our conservation team:
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Central Minnesota
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Twin Cities Metro
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Southern Minnesota
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Statewide
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Statewide
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Statewide
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Statewide
Great River Greening Projects and Initiatives
Don’t see the project you’re looking for?
Reach out to one of our program managers listed above or contact us.
FAQs
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Great River Greening got its start in the mid-1990s through a project in St. Paul called “Greening the Great River” along the Mississippi River. The organization officially became a registered environmental non-profit organization in Minnesota in 1999, securing its 501(c)(3) under the name Great River Greening. We are now a nonprofit leader in Minnesota focused on the environment.
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We currently work in 25 of Minnesota’s 87 counties and are actively developing conservation projects in nearly 30 more counties (and counting). Check out our map of project sites (LINK) or reach out to our staff if you’re interested in a project in your community! We are open to partnerships throughout the entire state of Minnesota.
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There are several ways that you can take action on climate change and support healthy, resilient ecosystems in your Minnesota community:
Hire Us
Volunteer (link)
Learn more at an event (link)
Join our team (link)
Join our board of directors (pdf link)
Donate to support this critical work (link).
Your involvement makes a difference!
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Restoring and protecting nature is a powerful t strategy for tackling climate change. Land restoration can help fight climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in the ground through a process called carbon sequestration. Healthy ecosystems can absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Greening also uses climate-smart practices, including utilizing biochar kilns, storing even more carbon. Forests, wetlands, and prairies also act as buffers against extreme weather, protecting houses, crops, water supplies and more. By supporting Great River Greening’s work, YOU can solve climate change through nature with climate smart, nature-based solutions. Learn more about our climate impact on our Vision for 2030 page.
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Great River Greening does not own any of the land we work on. Our projects are carried out on land owned by a variety of partners, including cities, counties, soil and water conservation districts, schools, corporations, the State of Minnesota, the federal government, and individuals.
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Yes, to explore restoring your land, reach out to us through our Greening Solutions program! We work on properties of at least three acres and support a variety of land restoration projects.
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Great River Greening is an environmental organization in Minnesota focused primarily on restoring habitats. Other environmental organizations focus on advocacy or land acquisition. Great River Greening may partner with these organizations but we are an outdoor restoration organization in Minnesota and our focus remains on restoration and sustainable management.