Support Climate-Adapted Species in City Forest
As the climate changes, ecosystems change with it. Temperature changes and moisture level changes can result in plant habitat changing dramatically. In the coming years Minnesota could lose its boreal forest, as well as many native tree species, as its climate becomes warmer.
Along with trying to stop the effects of climate change to slow this ecosystem change, many cities are planting trees that could flourish under the climate that is expected to come, or bringing in trees or seeds from the southern part of a native species’ range. This could include, for example, bringing in paper birch seeds from the southern end of its range for planting northern Minnesota.
Dibaginjigaadeg Anishinaabe Ezhitwaad: A Tribal Climate Adaptation Menu offers many other approaches to responding to a changing climate. Mature trees from ecosystems that are changing can be observed as they survive disease and droughts, even if their seedlings will no longer survive in a new climate. Creating greater genetic diversity can help a new population of plant beings survive. As well, using seeds from a larger geographical area and working with people who have traditionally lived with those species to understand them, can help ease a transition.
Contact City Leaders About this Issue
Use the sample letter below to send a letter to your city councilor about this issue. You can find their contact info on the City of Duluth website.
Dear City Councilor,
In the coming years Minnesota could lose its boreal forest, as well as many native tree species as its climate becomes warmer. Many cities are planting trees that can flourish under the climate that is expected to come, or bringing in trees or seeds from the southern part of a native species’ range.
As you work to respond to a changing climate in Duluth, I encourage you to follow the wisdom found in Dibaginjigaadeg Anishinaabe Ezhitwaad: A Tribal Climate Adaptation Menu (https://www.glifwc.org/ClimateChange/TribalAdaptationMenuV1.pdf). The Menu offers many valuable approaches to responding to a changing climate through our city forest, such as maintaining mature trees, creating greater genetic diversity, and bringing in seeds and trees from a larger geographical area and working with people who have traditionally lived with those species to understand them, to help ease a transition.
As we work to slow climate change by reducing our community’s greenhouse gases, maintaining and strengthening our urban forest is crucial.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Your Name
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