Opportunity Details
Community Tree Care - Roy West Park
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 city streets, 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 at all ages.
Join the City of Richmond's Parks & Rec for some community tree care! We will be weeding, mulching, and improving growing conditons for the young trees at Roy West Park, located in the Northside. These trees were planted as a part of the Cool The City campaign. Not only will these trees help to beautify the area and create habitat for birds and other local wildlife, but once reaching maturity, they will cast a cooling shade over the frequently used sidewalks that cross the park, as well as slow down rain fall so that it can be soaked into the ground and not run off into the nearby sewer or cause localized flooding.
Funding for this project is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Volunteer Duties & Responsibilities:
Volunteers will be assisting staff from Parks & Rec, in some general tree care and landcaping. Duties will include hand weeding, mulching, and litter pick up. Volunteers may want to bring along sunscreen or a head covering, as well as a refillable water bottle (and snack if needed).
Qualifications, Skills, & Requirements:
Tools and gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring along your own gloves if preferred. Closed toed shoes are required. No prior experience or special skills necessary, though some lifting (max. 50lbs), kneeling, bending, stooping, digging, hauling, pushing, pulling and yanking, walking long distances across uneven grassy lawns, and possibly working on sloped terrain will be required. All activities will be located in a grassy open lawn area, located next to a road heavily used by work trucks and equipment, so please be prepared to deal with vehicular traffic. 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:
There are multiple dates available, please see below for specific dates and times. Please arrive on time and plan on staying for the full duration. We ask that all attendees pre-register! This allows for proper planning and communication.
Other Information:
- Upon signup, you will recieve TWO emails; one from CFengage and one from the Opportunity Coordinator at "Qui.Nguyen@rva.gov". Specific meeting location and additional instructions will be sent in the SECOND email - be sure to check your SPAM folder if you have not recived it. All volunteers MUST REPLY to that email to confirm participation, and allow for proper planning for tools and equipment.
- 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 fence posts available, just be sure to bring a cable lock
- If arriving by GRTC Bus, Route 1, Route 2a, Route 2b, & Route 2c has nearby stops. Please visit http://ridegrtc.com/planning-your-trip/trip-planner for more details.
- If arriving by vehicle, please give yourself some extra time on arriving to be able to find on-street parking. 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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- Choose an existing team you're already a member or captain of, or
- Create a new team to sign up.
Signup Questions
Please respond to the following questions in order to signup for this opportunity: