St. Paul, MN - The City of Northfield is one of several Minnesota cities receiving a grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for assisting with the management of the Emerald Ash Borer invasive species. The grants are part of the $2.4 million investment for ash management plans championed by State Representative Todd Lippert (DFL - Northfield), specifically to identify and convert ash stands to more diverse, climate-adapted species; and to replace removed ash trees.
“Minnesota is home to nearly one billion ash trees, and we have to support our cities as they respond to the devastation being caused by Emerald Ash Borer,” said Rep. Lippert. “I’m elated to see that Northfield is included in the state’s largest group of recipients yet for these grants, and I look forward to seeing this investment in action as we protect and replace these trees that line our streets and shade our yards.”
The city of Northfield received $92,500 from the program, one of the twenty-six recipients. Information on what individuals can do to help stop the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer is available on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website.
In addition to the measures combating the Emerald Ash Borer, Rep. Lippert was also instrumental in passing $2.5 million in one-time funding for carbon sequestration by providing cost share incentives for more tree planting throughout Minnesota.