Minneapolis Buckthorn Removal Singles Club Tackles Dating-App Burnout and Invasive Species

A new community group in Minneapolis, the Buckthorn Removal Singles Club, was formed to address both invasive buckthorn weeds and the growing sense of burnout among users of online dating apps. The club’s members, drawn mainly from millennial and Gen Z singles, meet to pull the invasive plant from local woods while socializing, offering an alternative to virtual dating.

The initiative follows a survey indicating that roughly 78 % of dating‑app users feel “burned out.” Organisers hope that physically working together will rebuild local community ties, reduce loneliness, and mitigate mental‑health issues that affect more than half of Americans. By combining environmental stewardship with social interaction, the club seeks to foster real‑world connections and improve overall well‑being.