The opportunity: At the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, The Toro Company holds a long history of executive and employee engagement and volunteerism. In addition to essential maintenance tasks like mulching, seeding, and clean-up, volunteer teams from Toro tackle larger projects during an annual day of service held at the Arboretum.

Arb strength: With assistance and leadership from Toro employees, these days of service have led to the completion of many significant projects that would not be possible without the efforts of Toro volunteers. Through shared time, expertise, and other in-kind donations, Toro’s engagement has strengthened the vitality, sustainability, and safety of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Pond restoration: In 2018, as the area behind Wood Duck Pond had begun to wash out, Toro volunteers brought equipment and assisted with the installation of wired mesh baskets to catch sediment. This project was an essential fix, preserving the shoreline and reducing erosion around the pond.

Smoothing out the bumps: The following year, Toro volunteers helped to tackle a bumpy trail across wetland at the edge of the Arboretum’s staff parking lot. Volunteers brought equipment to level out the trail, install two new culverts, and lay an erosion blanket: creating a safer, smoother trail for all Arboretum visitors.