Opportunity Details
Richmond Tree Week 2025 - Micro-Forest Planting
This event is a part of Richmond Tree Week - an event series that celebrates Richmond's urban forests, showcases the incredible urban greening efforts happening across our city, and reaffirms our commitment to expanding tree canopy and cooling down communities. November 1st thru November 8th, 2024. Learn more at www.reforestrichmond.org/rtw-2025
Trees for a Healthier Future!
Tree canopy coverage is an important asset to urban areas - creating healthier, safer, and more connected communities. From cleaning our air and filtering our water, to slowing down storm surge and flooding in our cities, trees also provide shade that can cool neighborhoods by up to 10 degrees, helping to prevent heat-related deaths and illessess in urban areas that suffer from heat island effect. Green spaces and park settings are also linked to better health outcomes, such as reducing stress-related mental health issues, improving overall health development in children, as well as encouraging physical activity.
Join the City of Richmond's Parks & Rec for a tree planting! We will be planting a "micro-forest" full of baby trees in the rear of Blackwell Park (Charlie Sydnor Playground), located in the Southside. Come see this high-density reforestation project as we turn "Turf-to-Trees". Not only will these trees help beautify the area and create habitat for birds and other local wildlife, they will also help to create a cooler micro-climate in a neighborhood facing urban heat island effect.
Volunteer Duties & Responsibilities:
Volutneers will be assisting staff from Parks & Rec in establishing a reforestation project site, through planting trees seedlings, weeding and mulching. Duties will include digging holes, planting tree seedlings, pitching and spreading mulch, amending soil, carrying buckets and pots, watering, and hand weeding. We will be planting 1-gallon and 3-gallon sized potted trees, which are smaller in size and easy to work with, and will allow for a dense planting. Volunteers may want to bring along sunscreen or a head covering, as well as a refillable water bottle (and snack if needed). Please no young children or pets!
Qualifications, Skills, & Requirements:
Tools and gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring along your own gloves if preferred. Be sure to wear sturdy closed toed shoes/boots, long pants and long sleeves. No prior experience or special skills necessary, though some lifting (max. 50lbs), bending, squating, kneeling, sitting on the ground, reaching, grasping, pushing/pulling and stooping will be required. Knowledge of proper root-pruning techniques would be a bonus, but not at all required (let us know if you can help with it though!). All activities will be located in a grassy open lawn area, located next to a popular walking trail, so please be prepared to interact with park visitors. Please be aware of the weather forecast, and dress accordingly (this event is rain or shine, however advance communication will be sent if we need to cancel).
Time Commitment:
This volunteer opportunity will be on Monday, November 3rd from 3pm to 5:30pm. Please arrive on time and plan on staying for the full 2-hours. All attendees must pre-register!
Other Information:
- Volunteer hours will be verified within 72hrs after the end of the event, though the CFengage website. Please bring your paperwork with you if a seperate form needs to be signed.
- If arriving by bicycle, there are utility posts nearby, just be sure to bring a cable lock
- If arriving by GRTC Bus, Route 87 has nearby stops. Please visit http://ridegrtc.com/planning-your-trip/trip-planner for more details.
- If arriving by vehicle, there is a small parking lot next to the basketball court, and plenty of street parking available along Maury Street and East 15th Street - check your email for the map and instructions, and please look for signs once arriving. Car pooling is encouraged!
Have questions or want to learn more details about this event? Feel free to reach out to Qui.Nguyen@rva.gov!
Environment
Age Minimum (with Adult): 13+, Minimum Age:18+, Court Ordered Volunteer - Allowed
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