Minnetonka Launches ReLeaf Program with $338,900 Grant to Combat Emerald Ash Borer Invasion

The city of Minnetonka is bolstering its defenses in the ongoing battle against the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) by leveraging a substantial grant to launch the ReLeaf program. Per details from the city's official announcement, $338,900 in grant funds have been allocated from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, aiming to improve community forest health. The ReLeaf initiative is designed to lend a hand to property owners who are financially eligible, covering the full cost for the removal of EAB-infested ash trees on their land.

Since its first confirmed appearance in Minnesota back in 2009, the malevolent beetle has wreaked havoc on the local ash tree population, creeping its way through Ramsey and Hennepin counties. The affliction reached the southeastern parts of Minnetonka in May 2019, compelling the city to respond to the encroaching threat. The grant money is said to be available on a "first come, first serve" basis, but not until a city inspection has confirmed the trees' affliction with EAB.

To qualify for financial aid under the ReLeaf program, there are a few hoops that property owners must jump through. The primary criteria, according to the city of Minnetonka's website, are as follows: ownership of an infested ash tree that potentially endangers eligible targets, a willingness to plant two new trees for every removed one, and a combined household income that does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income. These terms dictate the engagement between the city and its residents, setting a cooperative path forward in the face of the emerald ash borer threat.

While the program is undeniably a boon for those concerned about the integrity of their property and the broader environmental health, the finite nature of the funds serves as a reminder of the urgency required in actions taken against invasive species. Property owners who meet the conditions will receive the benefits of the ReLeaf program, seeing that their trees will be replaced by new, two robust saplings, ensuring the green canopy of Minnetonka is preserved for future generations. Further details about the program, including how to apply, are available on Minnetonka's city website.