Community Tree Care - Battery 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 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, in both reducing stress-related mental health issues, and by improving overall health development in children, and encouraging physical activity.

Join the City of Richmond's Parks & Rec for some community tree care! We will be maintaining some young trees, as well as performing some general landscaping and trash pick in Battery Park, located in the Northside. Not only do these trees help beautify the area and create habitat for birds and other local wildlife, but once reaching maturity, they will create shade and cool down temperatures in an area frequented by park visitors.  

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. Sturdy closed toed shoes/boots are required. No prior experience or special skills necessary, though some lifting (max 50 lbs), bending, stooping, reaching, grabbing, hauling, kneeling, walking long distances, navigating curbs and uneven grassy lawns, and working on sloped terrain. All activities will be located outdoors, in large grassy areas, next to sidewalks and curbs, and sloped terrain. 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 event will be on Thursday, May 22nd from 9am – 11am, please arrive on time and plan on staying for the full 2-hours. Sign-ups close 2hrs before the opportunity! 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 "[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, 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 poles and posts nearby, just be sure to bring a cable lock 
• If arriving by GRTC Bus, Route 1 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 [email protected]!