Minnesota Teens Fight Climate Anxiety with Trees and Trail Work

While many teens cope with climate anxiety through social media or protest signs, a growing number in Minnesota are grabbing gloves and heading outdoors. The Green Crew, a youth-led Conservation group based in Bloomington, is offering a hands-on alternative for teens who want to turn climate fears into climate action.

Founded in 2021 by then-13-year-old Hannah Stockert Barisonzi, the Green Crew began with a simple idea: empower young people to take real action in nature. Since then, the group has ballooned to over 50 core student members and has mobilized thousands of volunteers across the state. According to a recent New York Times article by Kate Selig, this year alone, more than 2,000 people are expected to join their efforts.

These projects include pulling invasive species like buckthorn, restoring local trails, planting native trees, and even installing mushroom logs to Support carbon cycling. One teen, Alex Rozumalski, took the lead in teaching others how to grow mushrooms on oak logs—a quirky but powerful method of building healthy soil and sequestering carbon.

What makes Green Crew special isn’t just the environmental impact. It’s also about mental health. As Sarah Lowe of Yale School of Public Health notes, young people participating in climate action often experience lower levels of anxiety and depression. For many teens, Green Crew is more than a club—it’s a lifeline.

The group’s model is spreading. Three new chapters are starting in Minnesota, and inquiries are pouring in from across the country. For these kids, hope isn’t just a feeling—it’s a weekend project with shovels, wheelbarrows, and a lot of muddy boots.

Feeling inspired? Start your own local cleanup crew, ditch single-use plastic, or volunteer with a native plant society. The planet—and your peace of mind—will thank you.

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