The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) has received a $50,000 donation through the Mortenson Family Foundation that will be used to offset costs to remove diseased trees from private homesteaded properties in certain areas across Minneapolis.
The City of Minneapolis and MPRB partnered and secured a federal grant that will aid private property owners in the City of Minneapolis with tree removals but will not provide relief retroactively. Contributions through the Mortenson Family Foundation will partially address this unmet need for retroactive relief.
In December 2023, the MPRB also received through the Margaret A. Cargill Fund of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation a contribution of $500,000 to support retroactive relief which was used to address trees that would have been levied in 2023 and trees removed in 2024 prior to the federal grant being executed. Of that donation $131,984.52 remains and will be combined with the Minneapolis Foundation contributions to provide retroactive relief. The MPRB also received through fundholders of the Minneapolis Foundation $200,000 for this purpose. These amounts will be combined with the Mortenson Family Foundation’s contribution to partially address this unmet need for retroactive relief.
The combined total of $381,984.52 will be utilized to provide retroactive relief for private property tree removal assessments that were levied to Hennepin County between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022 to homestead properties located within census tracts defined as disadvantaged by the White House Council on Environmental Quality Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) in Minneapolis utilizing a needs-based application process, as funds allow.
“We are again amazed by and grateful for the generosity of the Mortenson Family Foundation who stepped forward to help the Minneapolis community with this need,” said MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura. “As I have said before, Emerald ash borer has been killing ash trees throughout the city since it was discovered in 2010 and the number of condemnations has increased. Since the MPRB cannot pay for private tree removal, this generous donation will offer relief to many impacted homeowners.”
Homestead property owners located within CEJST areas in Minneapolis with levied private property tree removal assessments during the above reference timeframe have been mailed an application form and instructions on how to complete the application either online or through the U.S. mail. Homestead property owners have until November 15, 2024 to apply.
The donation was made possible through the efforts of the MPRB’s philanthropic partner, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation.
“While we are deeply thankful for this gift and for the continued support, I remain committed to continue to seek additional support for retroactive assistance,” said Bangoura.
Anyone interested in contributing toward this effort may do so by sending a check or money order to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, ATTN: Finance Department-Private Tree Relief, 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55411 or debit/credit card by calling 612-230-6400.