St. Cloud Secures Nearly $300K to Combat Emerald Ash Borer Threat

(KNSI) – The St. Cloud City Council on Monday unanimously accepted two state grants totaling nearly $298,000 to address the growing threat of emerald ash borer in the city’s public tree population.

The first grant, $178,690 from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, will fund a comprehensive urban forest management plan. The city will hire a professional services firm to inventory all public trees within St. Cloud’s city limits, assess their condition and health, and set up cloud-based software to manage the data going forward.

The second grant, $119,253, also from the DNR, will pay for the removal of 100 dead or dying trees and stumps at Whitney Regional Park and the planting of 100 new trees to replace them. The grant covers contracted removal, nursery stock and watering of newly planted trees.

Neither grant requires a local match, though both operate on a reimbursement basis, meaning the city must spend the money first and then seek repayment from the state.

Community Services and Facilities Director Scott Zlotnik and Park Operations Manager Chris Zabinski submitted the grant requests. The Park and Recreation Advisory Board, which also serves as the city’s Tree Board, recommended approval at its February 3rd meeting.

City staff said emerald ash borer is expected to cause widespread tree loss and a shrinking canopy across St. Cloud. Officials said having a management plan in place will also position the city to qualify for additional grant funding in the future.

St. Cloud has held Tree City USA designation for 44 years.

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