New City Forester in Maple Grove Uses Worldwide Experience to Help Protect City’s Trees
Shane DeGroy’s background in environmental sciences has taken him all over the world.
“I managed invasive Burmese Pythons in Everglades National Park, and I worked for a season at McMurdo Research Station in Antarctica,” said DeGroy.
Shane DeGroy in Antarctica.
But, these days you’ll find him closer to home.
“I grew up in neighboring Plymouth, just next store here,” said DeGroy.
Recently, Maple Grove hired him as the city forester.
Although he’s the first city forester for the city, it’s a job that’s not uncommon.
“Our neighbors Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley, New Hope, Plymouth, Minnetonka, they all have city foresters,” said DeGroy.
DeGroy said the city wasn’t neglected before he arrived.
“The reasons things are looking so good for not having a city forester is because we’ve had an arbor committee for about 40 years, and they have been pushing things like getting us a volunteer inventory, making sure our ordinances are updated, and even getting us our forest preservation areas,” said DeGroy.
But DeGroy knows there’s more work to be done.
Shane DeGroy is the first City Forester for Maple Grove.
In his role, he’ll be cleaning tree debris from storm damage, performing landscape inspections, and educating residents and businesses.
One of his main responsibilities will be responding to the emerald ash borer.
“Every ash tree in the city of Maple Grove will die to the beetle unless it is treated. So I encourage residents, to check their yards if they do have trees, maybe try to see if one is an ash tree, if so, then they can visit the city’s website maplegrovemn.gov and learn a little more about emerald ash borer. Should they treat their trees? Should they remove their trees? See what their options are,” said DeGroy.
It may be new territory, but DeGroy’s worked to eradicate other invasive species before, and is up for the challenge of protecting the trees in a city called Maple Grove.
“If you ask anyone, if they have a specific memory about a tree, almost everyone has an answer. Either some Aspens up by their cabin, or a tree in their yard they would climb or hang out under,” said DeGroy.
DeGroy’s held other roles as at state parks, GreenCorps, and Hennepin County’s Forestry program.
