Minnesota communities across the state have received funding to combat emerald ash borer (EAB) and manage city-owned ash trees through two grants from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Collectively, 25 communities spanning from Bemidji to Winona will receive nearly $1 million for tree inventories, management plans, ash removal, and tree planting.
The grants enhance Minnesota’s effort against the invasive beetle that kills ash trees, helping cities build preparedness and coordinate response. “These funds will help front-line communities prepare for EAB,” said Emma Schultz, community forest project specialist with the DNR. “And in areas where the beetle is established, this funding is important to manage ash and diversify urban tree canopies.”
In New Ulm where more than 20 percent of the trees are ash and boulevards are dotted with 2,600 ash trees the discovery of EAB last year raised concern over how the city would cover the cost of tree removal and replacement. “In addition to reducing the financial burden for city residents, our grant allows us to reduce the potential for future insect and disease problems by replanting with a diversity of tree species,” said New Ulm city planner John Knisley.
Preparing for emerald ash borer in community forests
The first group of grants will assist communities in conducting tree inventories and removing and replacing ash. The $679,000 for these grants was appropriated from Minnesota’s General Fund.
City of Bayport, $53,100
City of Bemidji, $14,235
City of Brooklyn Park, $100,000
City of Columbia Heights, $100,000
City of Duluth, $92,400
City of Kellogg, $30,000
City of Lake Crystal, $4,500
City of Lakeville, $25,000
City of Mahnomen, $6,413
City of Mankato, $65,000
City of Moorhead, $50,000
City of New Ulm, $88,352
City of Owatonna, $50,000
Emerald ash borer community forest response tree planting
The second group of grants
