Explore the Floodplain Forest at Crosby Farm Regional Park

Have you ever visited Crosby Farm Regional Park in St. Paul, Minnesota? Over half a million people come to this park each year to fish, run, walk their dogs, and play with their grandchildren. Each visitor seeks something from the deep, quiet woods along the Mississippi River valley, a connection to nature in the middle of the city. Down in the floodplain forest, the air is cleaner and fresher thanks to the vast number of trees. The health of the surrounding area is tied directly to the health of the forest, which is always changing, and lately the forest seems to be in trouble. The tree canopy isn’t regenerating like it used to; the small trees coming up are struggling to take the place of the ones we’ve lost to climate-change-related challenges, such as pests, disease, and flooding. 

This loss of green space, especially in an urban setting like the Twin Cities, affects the surrounding neighborhoods. Trees purify air, provide shade, and even enrich garden soil. Without them, our communities are less healthy. As these cities get busier, summers get hotter, and food gets more expensive, the benefits that trees provide to those who live near them become even more important. This role of tree canopy in communities is part of why the struggling young trees at Crosby Farm caught the attention of researchers: they want to know what can be done to help the forest. 

Any good plan starts with good data. Five years ago, newcomers arrived at Crosby: researchers brought southern species like Sweetgum, Tulip Poplar, and Pecan. They’ve been quietly growing in research plots here, far from their traditional homes, as part of a new project looking into the future of our forests. This summer, for the first time since their planting in 2020, the plots will be open for public tours. We want you to be part of the exploration! Your trees and green spaces are part of your community.  Learning about them allows you to advocate for their health and the well-being of your neighborhood, helping you to solve some of the problems that come with living in an urban environment.  

Want to get involved? Here’s how:

This project is funded by a grant from MN Department of Natural Resources and USDA Forest Service. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.