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 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! Continuedonnextpage .
Outdoor classroom at DaVinci Academy of Art and Science
Built by Students for Students
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 landscapes. Tree Trust YouthBuild participants dedicated time from their school year to learning, practicing, and mastering the basics of construction. Their efforts and hard work resulted in twenty-two free standing benches, stained and ready to install at local elementary schools. For many participants, the opportunity to get out of the classroom and into the Tree Trust shop to learn new skills hands-on is a game changer. While exploring the world of skilled trades careers, these participants build structures to enhance community spaces. These benches will help facilitate outdoor learning for students across the Twin Cities metro area and greater Minnesota.
Construction Time
Abuzz with activity, Tree Trust’s workshop serves as the center of creation, where participants cut, stain, and assemble boards into benches. The smell of fresh cut wood lingers in the air. Trainers teach young people how to complete projects from start to finish—from ideation to material selection, construction, and installation. A trainer comments, “Students learn that treated wood is necessary for ground contact. We also selected cedar to construct the benches for its beauty and ease of installation, as it is a lighter weight wood.” The excitement is palpable. Construction is the fun, hands-on
part of any project. Youth work with purpose, knowing that they’re building more than just structures—they’re building connections within their community.
A Collaborative Circle
The installation of the outdoor classroom is timed perfectly: it happens on the school-wide tree planting day. As part of our Learning with Trees™ program, this is the moment when students put their tree knowledge into action. After exploring our interactive Our Town Trees exhibit, they’re eager to get outside, dig in the dirt, and make a lasting impact on their school grounds. While lines of excited students head outdoors, Tree Trust’s YouthBuild trainers and volunteers are already onsite, installing the outdoor classroom. These spaces create even more opportunities for students to learn, grow, and connect with nature.
For Gretchen Mattson, principal of one of our Learning with Trees™ schools, the addition of an outdoor classroom was just as exciting as the new trees. “One of the most exciting parts of this program is that in our school forest we already have two classrooms, and through Tree Trust, we’re adding a third— right at the entrance to the forest,” she shares. “It is going to be amazing because we always have the kids stop there to talk about why we are going into the forest, what they need to do, and important reminders. Now, we will have a beautiful space where they can sit, listen, and get ready for their outdoor learning experience. We are so thankful for Tree Trust!”
Outdoor classroom at Paladin Career and Technical High School
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.”
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.
“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
Outdoor classroom installation at Central Park Elementary School
Community Forestry Planting Operations Manger Matt Ronald augers holes for installation
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.
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
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.
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)
Tree Trust YouthBuild graduate Beckett
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.”
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!”
Bridge at Lake Elmo Park Reserve constructed by Jon’s crew
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 MissRumphius(TheLupineLady) , 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.
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.
Curious about how to identify trees once their leaves have fallen?
Scan QR code 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.
Tree Trust Branches Manager Emily Cleaver-Gillet
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
Our licensed and certified professionals offer a full range of tree care services for residential and commercial clients. Pruning & Removal Stump Grinding
Planting
Healthcare Treatments
Tree Trust Branches participant plants a tree