Our Special Sauce: Community Tree Planting and Tree Care Volunteers

For more than 45 years, Friends of the Urban Forest's special sauce has been our community tree planting and tree care volunteers. Volunteer-powered plantings are about much more than getting trees in the ground. When community volunteers come together to plant and care for street trees, they meet neighbors, share pride in their community, and take ownership in creating greener, healthier streets for everyone to enjoy.

Research consistently shows that volunteering strengthens communities in measurable ways. Volunteers contribute billions of dollars in economic value each year through their service while also helping to build stronger social connections, greater civic participation, and more resilient neighborhoods. Communities with higher rates of volunteerism tend to experience greater trust among residents and stronger local networks, invaluable assets when a neighborhood faces a challenge or an emergency.

All of these benefits are easy to see during Friends of the Urban Forest's community planting and tree care events. Planting and caring for a tree creates a sense of ownership. We often hear that volunteers return to visit "their" tree. And our regular volunteers have formed a special community of stewards around our weekday tree care events.

Whether you've volunteered with us once, or for years, thank you for the hours and energy you've invested in our urban forest and in our city. Together, we are growing our tree canopy, our climate resilience, and our community!