Great River Greening leads and promotes community-based restoration of natural areas and open spaces.

Our goal for the future is to preserve and restore the natural beauty and biological richness of the Midwest by inspiring people to love the land. We want people to understand the role of native plants in a healthy ecosystem, to value the beauty and health of the natural landscape that defines their heritage, and to take action to protect, conserve, and restore the natural landscapes of the Midwest.

Featured as a premier Midwest group in the book Nature Friendly Communities (Island Press), Greening does on-the-ground conservation work with concrete results that are measured in acres restored, invasive species removed, trees, shrubs and grasses planted, volunteers engaged, supervisors trained, and streambanks stabilized. Our hundreds of partners include county and city parks departments, federal and state government, watershed organizations, neighborhood organizations, and private landowners and businesses. By working with more than 21,000 volunteers and collaborating with communities, Great River Greening has restored over 58,000 trees and shrubs to the region’s watersheds.