In 2023, the Hamline-Midway Coalition (HMC) was awarded funding through the ReLeaf Program, an initiative by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This program is designed to enhance community forest ecosystem health and sustainability, focusing on the removal and replacement of dead trees, particularly in low-income residential areas.  HMC’s grant award allows for the removal of 21 ash trees, and supports our community’s Free Tree planting program over the next 3 seasons. This effort improves the urban forest landscape, contributing to the reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and promoting energy conservation through reduced cooling needs. 

HMC Environment Committee (HMEC), Midway’s-own Trees & Me LLC (consulting, tree care & training arborists), HMC staff, and volunteers will be coordinating the removal of eligible dead trees from residential properties within the Hamline-Midway area. Tree removals are costly (can be up to $10,000!) and are often a stretch for community members to cover this expense. This fact, along with the astounding number of private property ash trees in our community, led HMEC to pursue grant funding to support Midway private properties. Currently not eligible in our program are: boulevard trees, trees on other public property and non-ash trees. The number of trees we can remove with our initial MNDNR sponsorship is very limited, but HMC will continue to seek sponsorship to add to the number of removals, and/or allow for other species of dead trees.