Communities across Minnesota have a powerful new way to explore, understand and plan community forests. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has launched the Community Tree Canopy Viewer, an interactive mapping tool to guide future planting and management decisions for community forests.
The Community Tree Canopy Viewer combines on-the-ground survey data with advanced mapping technologies, including aerial imagery and LiDAR (light detection and ranging), to provide a detailed look at tree canopies across more than 300 Minnesota communities. Users can explore where trees are growing, see how the canopy has shifted between 2010 and 2023, and gain insights into the number and type of species and overall forest health.
“This is a first-of-its-kind resource,” said Rachel Morice, DNR project lead. “No other state has mapped community tree canopy at this scale and made it publicly accessible. It gives communities the information they need to make smarter, more resilient decisions about their forests.”
By identifying where canopy has increased or decreased, the tool helps communities prioritize planting locations, improve species diversity, and plan for climate resilience. It also provides an accessible entry point for residents, planners, and local leaders to engage in community forestry efforts.
“Whether a community has a full tree inventory or is just getting started, this tool offers valuable insights,” said Morice.
The DNR invites city staff, urban forestry professionals, planners and interested residents to attend one of the following training sessions to learn how to use the Community Tree Canopy Viewer.
• St. Paul: April 8, 2026, 9-11 a.m., DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Road
• Rochester: April 9, 2026, 1:30-3 p.m., Rochester Police Department, 4001 W. River Parkway
• Duluth: April 10, 2026, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St.
• Bemidji: April 16, 2026, 2-4 p.m., Bemidji Public Library, 509 America Ave NW
• Moorhead: April 22, 2026, 1-2:30 p.m., Moorhead Public Library, 450 Center Ave.
Participants will learn how to explore canopy data, understand changes over time, and apply insights into local planning, equity, and climate resilience efforts. For more information, to use the tree canopy viewer, and to register for the training sessions, visit the community tree canopy page on the DNR website (dnr. state.mn.us/forestry/urban/ community-tree-canopy.html).
Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (lccmr.mn.gov/).
