Northside Nursery Community Workday

Grow Trees for a Healthier Future!

Tree canopy coverage is an important asset to urban areas - they help create 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 can even reduce stress-related mental health issues, improve overall health development in children, and encourage physical activity for all peoples.

Join the City of Richmond's Parks & Rec in growing trees for future plantings in our community! The Northside Nursery focuses on cultivating and propergating trees and woody plants, to be used in future planting events within Parks properties, as well as throughout the community, and in partnership with community groups.   

Volunteer Duties & Responsibilities:
Volutneers will be assisting staff from Parks & Rec, in various nursery tasks, such as; potting seedlings, weeding, landcaping, brush removal, and general maintenance, organizing, and clean up. Volunteers should bring a refillable water bottle (and snack if needed), and may want to bring along sunscreen and a hat/hair covering.

Qualifications, Skills, & Requirements:
Tools and gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring along your own gloves if preferred. Be sure to wear closed toed shoes/boots, and clothing that you don't mind getting wet, dirty or snagged. No prior experience or special skills necessary, though some lifting (max. 60lbs), hauling, bending, overhead reaching, grasping, pushing/pulling, kneeling and stooping may be required. All activities will be located outdoors on nursery grounds, or inside the greenhouse structure with open doors and vents. Expect some uneaven and rough terrain (ex: pea gravel, small step-downs). 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:
All volunteer opportunities are 2-hours long, however may be shortened, depending on tasks and needs day-of. Please see the listed opportunities for specific dates and times. Sign-ups close 48hrs before the opportunity! This allows for proper planning and communication.  

Other Information:

• Upon signup, you will recieve TWO emails; a confirmation from CFEngage, and an email from the Opportunity Coordinator at "[email protected]". 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, to 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 along your paperwork, if a seperate form needs to be signed.

• ALL VOLUNTEERS must be accounted for! Please reply to the second email with details if you are bringing an additional person - children must be 10 years old or older and accompanied by a supervising adult. 

• If arriving by bicycle, you may park your bike within the nursery gates (or bring a cable lock if you'd rather lock up)

• If arriving by GRTC Bus, Route 1 , Route 93 & Route 14 have nearby stops. Please visit http://ridegrtc.com/planning-your-trip/trip-planner for more details. 

• If arriving by vehicle, parking is available in a nearby gravel lot. Please see the map below for more details. Car pooling is encouraged!

Have a group or want to learn more details about this event? Feel free to reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions!