Canopy Connections - Summer 2025

CANOPY CONNECTIONS Summer 2025

Outdoor Classrooms Inspire Learning

From boosting your mood to enhancing your brain’s cognitive ability, going outside does wonders for EVERYONE. This is especially true for school-aged students. A recent study, Getting Out of the Classroom and Into Nature, concluded that “nature-specific outdoor learning has measurable socioemotional, academic and wellbeing benefits, and should be incorporated into every child’s school experience.” In addition to planting trees, Tree Trust is excited to provide classroom space for students to learn outdoors. Our environmental education program, Learning with Trees™, installed outdoor classrooms at four elementary schools this spring. In addition, our Tree Trust YouthBuild cohort designed an outdoor learning space complete with a roofed gazebo nestled along a wooded trail underneath a tree canopy at Paladin Career and Technical High School.

Green Team Tree Trust’s Learning with Trees program transforms school grounds into beautiful green spaces. In addition to the school-wide planting days where every classroom gets to plant, name, and commit to caring for their very own tree, we also collaborate with schools to design and install outdoor classrooms. Our program coordinator works with each school’s Green Team—a group consisting of teachers, students, volunteers, and other interested parties—to bring their vision of an outdoor classroom to life.

Designing the Perfect Outdoor Classroom Creating an effective outdoor classroom starts with thoughtful planning. We work closely with schools to find the ideal location—one that is close enough for teachers to use regularly Outdoor classroom at DaVinci Academy of Art and Science yet positioned to minimize distractions from playgrounds and windows. Shade and natural screening are also key considerations to ensure a comfortable and engaging learning environment. When it comes to seating, we offer a variety of options to fit each school’s needs, from collaborative bench circles to amphitheater-style layouts facing natural spaces for scientific observation. Schools can choose between moveable backed benches, secure in-ground installations, and even picnic tables for more functionality. To bring these designs to life, we use augmented reality to create before-and-after visuals, allowing schools to see how their outdoor classroom—and newly planted trees—will grow and evolve over time. This helps create a space that is both functional and inspiring for years to come!

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Built by Students for Students

part of any project. Youth work with purpose, knowing that they’re building more than just structures—they’re building connections within their community.

The bonus? The benches for this year’s outdoor classrooms were handmade by our Tree Trust YouthBuild participants! At Tree Trust, our programs collaborate to transform lives and A Collaborative Circle landscapes. Tree Trust YouthBuild participants The installation of the outdoor classroom is dedicated time from their school year to timed perfectly: it happens on the school-wide learning, practicing, and mastering the basics tree planting day. As part of our Learning with of construction. Their efforts and hard work Trees™ program, this is the moment when resulted in twenty-two free standing benches, students put their tree knowledge into action. stained and ready to install at local elementary After exploring our interactive Our Town schools. For many participants, the Trees exhibit, they’re eager to get opportunity to get out of the outside, dig in the dirt, and classroom and into the make a lasting impact on Tree Trust shop to learn their school grounds. new skills hands-on While lines of excited is a game changer. students head While exploring outdoors, Tree the world of Trust’s YouthBuild skilled trades trainers and careers, these volunteers are participants already onbuild site, installing structures the outdoor to enhance classroom. community These spaces. These spaces create benches will even more help facilitate opportunities for outdoor learning students to learn, for students grow, and connect across the with nature.

Twin Cities metro Outdoor classroom at Paladin area and greater Career and Technical High School For Gretchen Mattson, Minnesota. principal of one of our Learning with Trees™ schools, Construction Time the addition of an outdoor classroom Abuzz with activity, Tree Trust’s workshop was just as exciting as the new trees. “One of the serves as the center of creation, where most exciting parts of this program is that in our participants cut, stain, and assemble boards into school forest we already have two classrooms, benches. The smell of fresh cut wood lingers and through Tree Trust, we’re adding a third— in the air. Trainers teach young people how to right at the entrance to the forest,” she shares. complete projects from start to finish—from “It is going to be amazing because we always ideation to material selection, construction, have the kids stop there to talk about why we and installation. A trainer comments, “Students are going into the forest, what they need to do, learn that treated wood is necessary for ground and important reminders. Now, we will have a contact. We also selected cedar to construct the beautiful space where they can sit, listen, and benches for its beauty and ease of installation, get ready for their outdoor learning experience. as it is a lighter weight wood.” The excitement We are so thankful for Tree Trust!” is palpable. Construction is the fun, hands-on

Outdoor Classroom at Paladin In addition to installing youth-built classrooms at elementary schools, Tree Trust YouthBuild transformed an outdoor space at Paladin Career and Technical High School into a stunning oasis for learning. The outdoor classroom at Paladin includes a gazebo-like structure complete with a roof. Participants were excited to try out their carpentry skills to create a structure that will benefit their school community.

Full Circle For Tree Trust YouthBuild participants who attend Paladin, the outdoor classroom project is more than just a structure; it’s their legacy. Many of these students describe their time with Tree Trust as life changing, and the staff at Paladin wholeheartedly agree.

“Having features constructed by youth, especially our students in the Tree Trust YouthBuild program, is immensely valuable,” they share.

“It instills a sense of ownership, pride, and accomplishment. This hands-on experience not only gives students practical skills and real work experience but also deepens their connection to the school community and to themselves.”

Outdoor classroom installation at Central Park Elementary School

Rooted in Learning At Tree Trust, we believe that outdoor spaces are powerful places for growth—both for trees and for developing minds. By planting trees, building outdoor classrooms, and crafting benches by hand, our programs create lasting changes in schools and communities.

With every tree planted and every bench installed, we are not just transforming landscapes; we are growing the next generation of environmental stewards. And as these spaces grow and evolve, so will the students who learn within them, deepening their connection to the natural world for years to come.

Community Forestry Planting Operations Manger Matt Ronald augers holes for installation

“This outdoor classroom will transform how our students learn—inviting them to engage with their education through hands-on experiences in nature.

It reflects our passion for the outdoors, our commitment to social and emotional growth, and our belief that learning happens best when students feel connected, inspired, and supported.”

Sarah Sannes, Paladin Career and Technical High School Counselor

Beckett’s Story

For one Paladin student participating in Tree Trust YouthBuild, the experience led to an apprenticeship in the skilled trades.

Like many of our Career Pathways participants, Beckett loves working with his hands. With the support of his Tree Trust YouthBuild trainers, he honed his skills both in construction and tree care and is moving forward with a robust resume of job site experience. As Beckett celebrates his eighteenth birthday this summer, he will also begin his apprenticeship working as a glazier—a skilled tradesperson who installs glass in windows, skylights, and storefronts in residential and commercial buildings.

Tree Trust YouthBuild graduate Beckett

Beckett’s mom Denise is grateful for her son’s opportunity to explore various career pathways in the Tree Trust YouthBuild program. She shared, “The guidance and leadership that was given by the instructors was invaluable in helping him choose a path. The school and programs he participated in have made such a positive impact in his life!”

Beckett knew he wanted to work in the skilled trades in ninth grade. His dad is a handyman, and Beckett grew up learning how to use tools. Through our partnership with Paladin Career and Technical High School, where Beckett attended until his senior year, he discovered Tree Trust YouthBuild. His favorite days at Tree Trust were when he got to work in the field.

Beckett encourages others to take that first step, explore new opportunities, and embrace the possibilities ahead. As he puts it, “Don’t be scared to try new things. You never know what you’re going to like or enjoy the most.”

Tree Trust Welcomes New Career Pathways Director

From left to right: Josh Obermeyer (Minnetonka City Forester), Anne-Marie Hendrickson (Tree Trust Director of Development & Communications), Tanika Reese (Tree Trust Director of Career Pathways), Paul Schiller (City of Minnetonka Restoration Technician), Jared Smith (Tree Trust Executive Director | CEO)

We are thrilled to introduce Tanika Reese as our new Director of Career Pathways. Tanika brings 33 years of experience in human and community services to this role. She has extensive leadership experience in workforce development programming, with a focus on youth and young adults.

Tanika is well-connected to schools and organizations throughout the Twin Cities that serve young people in building life and career skills. She is passionate about investing in the lives of young people, and her personal and professional experience in this area make her an excellent fit for our team.

A Crew Leader. A Mistake. A Life Lesson That Stuck.

Sometimes the biggest lessons in leadership comes from those who you are tasked to guide. For Jon Matel, a former Crew Leader with the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), the experience proved just as transformative for him as it was for the youth he led.

More Than a Job “Tree Trust gave me my first real chance to lead,” Jon reflects. “I knew I wanted to work outdoors, and I felt drawn to working with youth. But what really pulled me in was the mission. Helping young people build skills while doing something positive for the environment. That combination felt powerful.”

Jon’s journey with Tree Trust began at age twentytwo, when he stepped into the pivotal role of SYEP Crew Leader, a position that would shape both his career and character. Leading a crew of eight youth, Jon was responsible for completing high-quality projects while mentoring the next generation of workers. But the impact went both ways. Looking back, Jon sees Tree Trust as much more than a job training program. “Yeah, it’s obviously for youth getting into the workforce,” he says, “but the Crew Leader role is huge. It helps young adults grow into themselves, build leadership skills, and truly prepare for their futures. It’s a multifaceted program that supports growth at every level.”

Bridge at Lake Elmo Park Reserve constructed by Jon’s crew

Lessons Learned Leading a Crew One leadership lesson left a lasting impression—one Jon still carries today in his career as a special education teacher. This transformative moment came from a mistake, though Jon doesn’t even remember exactly what it was. What stuck with him was how he handled it. “I didn’t own it,” he admits. “I tried to brush it off like it didn’t happen. And that just didn’t sit right.” That moment became a turning point. Jon realized that true leadership isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being honest, taking responsibility, and leading by example. “The next time I messed up, I owned it. And the difference in how my crew responded was night and day. They respected it. It brought us closer.”

This is a lesson he still carries with him and teaches to his current students.

Landscapes Revisited Nearly 14 years after working at Tree Trust, Jon returned to visit some of the projects he helped complete, this time with his family by his side. “We built a timber staircase at Lake Elmo. We also built a boardwalk bridge out there. That was a big Tree Trust project I really remember. And the rain garden at Square Lake—that is still there.” Walking through those trails again, Jon could see that the work he did as a younger person had truly lasted, not just in the landscape, but in his personal growth.

Jon’s story is just one example of how Tree Trust shapes young people’s futures, confidence, and character. The lessons learned—both on the job and beyond—last a lifetime. Today, Jon continues to work with youth as an education professional and is also a proud Tree Trust donor. “Giving back feels natural,” he says. “Tree Trust gave me a shot and a skillset. It is where I learned that I could be a leader.” For Jon, Tree Trust’s mission resonates deeply. “You don’t often get to make an environmental impact and support workforce development at the same time,” he reflects.

“Tree Trust does both. That is real power!”

HoneyHill Weddings Plants A Tree For Every “I Do”

For Cassie Ogren, owner of HoneyHill Weddings, trees have always held special meaning. Long before she was helping couples say, “I do,” Cassie was a young person who believed in beauty and purpose.

This was thanks in part to Miss Rumphius (The Lupine Lady), her favorite children’s book. Its simple message, to leave the world more beautiful than you found it, stuck with her.

Growing up, Cassie’s family planted trees to mark life’s milestones. Watching them grow over the years, she learned that something small and intentional could become something lasting. So, when she set out to build her own business, she knew from the start that giving back would be part of HoneyHill Weddings’ roots.

While looking for a nonprofit partner, Cassie’s husband came across Tree Trust’s Green Futures™ program online. After reading our mission, they instantly knew it was the right match. “We didn’t even look anywhere else,” Cassie says. “It involved kids, it involved community—it was everything we believed in.”

Growing Happy Couples For Cassie, a tree is a metaphor for marriage. Just like a healthy partnership, trees take root, grow stronger with time, and adapt to endure life’s storms with grace. That’s why, for every couple that celebrates their wedding with HoneyHill, Cassie plants a tree to celebrate their union. In an industry not often known for environmental consciousness, she’s rewriting the script. Cassie believes that small, intentional choices can add up to lasting change. And she’s proving that weddings and sustainability can grow side by side.

As a sponsor and volunteer at Tree Trust’s Green Futures™ planting events, Cassie’s love of planting trees is reflected in her joyful spirit, work boots, and overalls. She doesn’t just show up to chat; she comes to work. And as a new parent, planting trees has taken on a new meaning for her.

A Tree Planted for Every Wedding In a recent Honeyhill Weddings social media post, Cassie shared: “We actually, physically plant a tree for every single couple we work with. That means there is a tree in our community growing for YOU! There are so many cool things about this, but it has really hit me this year having a daughter. She will drive by all these parks one day and see hundreds of trees growing because of HoneyHill and because of you and that is so killer. Thank you to friends and family and volunteers who help us plant these trees!”

The Value of Trees For Cassie, planting a tree isn’t just part of her business—it’s a reflection of her values, her family, and her hope for the future. With each tree planted, she’s not only honoring a couple’s love story, but also helping to write a bigger one, rooted in community, resilience, and stewardship of the earth.

As her daughter grows up and begins to understand the world around her, Cassie hopes she’ll see those trees and know love can grow into something lasting, beauty can be intentional, and one person can make a difference.

Just like her childhood hero Miss Rumphius, Cassie keeps her promise to do something that makes the world more beautiful.

Cassie Ogren planting a tree.

More Than Just A Tree

Tree Trust staff shared stories about important trees in their lives in celebration of our Green Futures™ Program. For our team, a tree is much more than just a tree, it’s a chapter in the story of our lives. Joan Frentz (Community Outreach Coordinator) and Emily Cleaver-Gillet (Branches Manager) share their tree stories.

A Mother’s Day Gift–Joan’s Tree Story “I have never been a huge flower or vegetable garden person, but I’ve always loved trees and Zen gardens—the calm, the beauty, the sense of space they bring. On a trip to Japan, I visited ancient Zen gardens and was struck by how vital trees are in the landscape. They bring shade, peace, and something that just makes you breathe easier.”

That feeling stuck. So did the love for fall and those vibrant colors, especially the fiery brilliance of the Japanese Red Maple. One bittersweet Mother’s Day, when her family couldn’t be with her, Joan’s husband brought her to a nursery…and they brought home a Japanese Red Maple. She named it Momiji, the Japanese word for maple. A perfect gift. A touching moment.

Love, Rooted In Nature–Emily’s Tree Story “My husband and I met in college. I was pursuing a degree in Urban Forestry; he is in Water Resources. For our wedding ceremony, we wanted to do a unity ceremony. We wanted to combine our degrees/passions and decided to water a tree that we would then plant at our first house.

Here are pictures of us watering our lil’ Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) at our wedding ceremony. We’ll be planting this tree in the next few weeks after we move into our first house!”

These stories reminds us that trees aren’t just part of our environment, they’re part of our milestones, our memories, and our futures.

Tree Trust Branches Manager Emily Cleaver-Gillet

Discover Trees in a New Light This Fall

Whether you’re hoping to discover a new favorite tree or reconnect with an old one, fall is the perfect time to see the forest with fresh eyes.

Scan QR code Curious about how to identify trees once their leaves have fallen? to register Join us for a casual guided hike through the woods at Westwood Hills Nature Center on Sunday, Oct 26 from 1–2 pm, led by celebrated arborist Karen Zumach. As the last crispy leaves cling to bare branches, we will explore alternative ways of identifying trees using bark, branching pattern, buds, and even smell. Enjoy a leisurely stroll with gorgeous views of fall colors, and come away with additional insight into the fascinating lives and histories of our stationary neighbors.

This event is entirely outdoors—please dress for the weather and bring a water bottle.

Leaf A Living Legacy

There’s no more heartfelt way to commemorate a significant milestone or pay tribute to a friend or family member than by giving a gift to Tree Trust in their name. Your contribution could help nurture a young sapling into a towering tree or empower a young person through hands-on training. You may direct your gift to a specific program or allow us to apply it where it is most urgently needed. Either way, you will be making a lasting impact on both lives and landscapes. To add a personal touch, we would be delighted to send a heartfelt letter to the honoree or their family, letting them know that a gift has been made in their honor.

Give a gift in honor or memory at treetrust.org/donate and check the box “Give in honor/memory”.

“When one plants a tree they plant themselves. Every root is an anchor, over which one rests with grateful interests, and becomes sufficiently calm to feel the joy of living.” - John Muir Tree Trust Branches participant plants a tree

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