As discussed in our last blog detailing planting a memorial or celebration tree in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Arizona, planting a tree in a national forest in the United States or elsewhere around the world has become quite popular. Besides being a gift to a grieving family member or friend, or to celebrate a milestone event, these tree plantings are also a gift to the earth. The benefits range from helping reforest an area decimated by forest fire to aiding in the water quality of nearby rivers and lakes. The Gifted Tree has planting projects in many U.S. national forests, and this blog will focus on the project in Chippewa National Forest, a forest comprising almost 700,000 acres in north central Minnesota.
Plant a Tree in Chippewa National Forest – Objectives
Chippewa National Forest was established in 1902. It was named in honor of the Chippewa tribe of Native Americans from whose land the forest was created. Approximately 44% of the Forest’s land is within the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. Water is abundant in Chippewa National Forest, with over 1,300 lakes, 923 miles of rivers and streams and 400,000 acres of wetlands. The Forest has more lakes and wetlands than any other National Forest in the nation, boasting approximately 13% of all surface water within the entire National Forest system.
As a consequence of logging activity, forests in this part of the state have become less complex over time and resulted in a not so favorable mix of tree species resulting in less biodiversity and carbon storage than could be achieved with a better mix. Our project in Chippewa sought to restore the mix of trees in the forest and increase the range of climate-adapted trees species to improve the landscape around the headwaters of important watersheds, including the forest alongside lake shores and trout streams, and degraded forest along the north shore of Lake Superior. With so many lakes in the national forest and also the fact that it borders Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes, our planting project has helped improve watersheds. In doing so, the new trees help improve water quality as they grow and foster the removal of sediment into these waterways.
The objective of our tree planting project in Chippewa National Forest was to restore vital tree species and introduce new tree species that will help the forest maintain and improve its resilience to threats brought about by climate change. Our planting project is helping provide a wide range of ecological benefits including improved water quality in streams and lakes, reduction of sediment in these water sources, improved habitat to improve biodiversity, helping soil stabilization needed in the face of increased heavy rainstorms, and improved carbon storage by changing forest composition to add species that live longer and grow larger. Not only will the reforestation improve the diversity of tree species in Chippewa National Forest, but also improve wildlife habitat conditions, improve soil and water quality, along with carbon storage.
Eleven native species were planted across the forest project including white spruce, white pine, red pine, red oak, jack pine, black spruce, tamarack, white cedar, bur oak, swamp white oak, and yellow birch. As mentioned previously, planting sites and species selection were made within a strategy of climate change solutions and improving biodiversity and habitat through improving tree species diversity. Using technology such as drones and remote sensing devices, ideal planting locations were recognized and restored, helping vital wildlife habitat, improving resilience to global warming threats, and protecting and improving a range of services and benefits the forest provides. It is comforting to know that these forest locations chosen within Chippewa National Forest will produce the highest and longest-term ecological benefits.
Chippewa National Forest Benefits
Thanks to you, your gift of planting trees in Chippewa National Forest has tremendously benefited Minnesota’s tree diversity and strengthened its forest against future issues. The planting of your trees in this deforested area helps the environment by accelerating and assuring the re-establishment of healthy forests. Through this reforestation, the tree canopy is restored, ecosystems are reinvigorated, and biodiversity can thrive. This project is an excellent example of proving the many ways in which forests benefit wildlife, local communities, and their landscapes, and the project’s impact is critical to enhancing the resilience of this forest ecosystem and safeguarding the benefits they provide now and in the future.
Biodiversity Benefits
With the forest cover that dominates the Minnesota landscape, Chippewa National Forest occupies an area close to the geographic center of the North America continent where three major biomes converge: the prairie, the boreal forest, and the deciduous forests of the east. Our planting projects will help improve the pristine wilderness and abundant biodiversity. Among the noteworthy animal species benefiting are moose, elk, Canadian lynx, burrowing owl and the spotted salamander. The forest is also home to a large gray wolf population, which will also benefit from the new tree plantings. Their living conditions will be enhanced with our tree plantings which will aid the processes that sustain life.
Community Benefits
The communities that are in and surround Chippewa National Forest will benefit from the reforestation project through multiple avenues including enhanced recreation availability, improved water quality, and carbon storage. The reforested areas will be used for school field trips. A scenic highway along the shores of Lake Superior was also improved, as a result of the project, opening up a spectacular part of the lake to citizens of Minnesota and beyond. Furhermore, by shifting forest plantings to species that live longer and grow taller, the project not only helps safeguard recreational activities for the future, but augment carbon storage capacity that will benefit the surrounding communities long term.
Conclusion
None of these benefits would be possible without your generosity and foresight in planting a memorial or celebration tree in a U.S. National Forest. The Chippewa United States National Forest in Minnesota is now beginning its renaissance for generations to come thanks to you. As the project director for this project stated: “This project is an excellent example demonstrating the myriad ways in which forests benefit wildlife, local communities, and their landscapes. The forests restored through this project will bring about vital ecological services while serving as a natural oasis for years to come.” The nice thing is that The Gifted Tree makes it easy to plant a tree to celebrate an important milestone or to plant a memorial tree in memory of a loved one, in Minnesota or in 80+ locations around the world.