MISS NORTHERN LAKES

Carly Hansen
Class of 2025
Talent:   HerStory

Community Service Initiative: ​   Arbor Day, Every Day

Director:  Angie Pagnac
Email:  [email protected] 

Next Competition Date: September 27, 2025

Local Director:  Click here to update this local page
​(use director portal password)
"Are you the tree girl?"

Yes, I am. My name is Carly Hansen and I am a 'budding arborist'.

After completing 99% of my undergraduate degree, I moved home to begin a career in Human Resources.
What had started as a second job became my career entirely. My adventure began with a 'Temporary Forestry Worker' position at Three Rivers Park District Nursery. During my two seasons, I grew so much professionally and personally. I participated in my first controlled forest burn, removed invasive species, assisted in planting over 100,000 native trees and plants, and climbed a tree in a harness and saddle for the first time. After the climbing demo, I realized that my entire career goals had shifted. I wanted to become a climbing arborist.

In March of 2024, I started at Rainbow Tree Care as a Plant Health Technician. After obtaining my pesticide applicator license, I spent the spring and summer applying herbicides and pesticides in various methods to treat tree diseases. In late summer, I moved to Macroinjections where I did preventative Dutch Elm Disease treatments on mature elm trees. Since November, I have been part of the prune care department where I have been learning the necessary skills and knowledge to become the best ground worker that I can be. I am currently studying for the ISA certification. I am so blessed to be on the path of becoming an ISA-certified climbing arborist someday. I would love the opportunity to return to college to turn my degree into a Biology major.

Outside of work, I am honored to be your 2025 Miss Northern Lakes! Because of the Miss Minnesota Organization, I have the blessing of promoting my community service initiative 'Arbor Day, Every Day' where I educate about Minnesota's climate trends and the importance of caring for your mature trees. Volunteering is another passion of mine. I love assisting in invasive species removals, tree planting, participating in seed collections, and seed cleaning events. I'm always open-minded to new volunteering experiences.

In my free time, I love hiking, running, paddleboarding, kayaking, spending time with loved ones, and caring for my house plants. Reading and baking are other hobbies of mine.