Twice a week for 12 weeks this summer, campers and camp staff headed to the Wheat Ridge greenbelt to water and care for the hundreds of trees, shrubs and flowers that were planted in the spring of 2017. As volunteer Tree Stewards with the Institute for Environmental Solutions (IES), they worked with Forestry and Open Space staff to also remove weeds, mulch around tree bases, measure and track growth, and observe trees for general health.
The volunteer Tree Steward program provides an opportunity to connect with nature, care for the environment, give back to the community and learn about native plant species.
Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation and IES hosts an end-of-the-summer celebration featuring a ceremony with certificates, tree-themed snacks, balloons and fun to recognize and thank campers for their volunteerism and hard work over the summer.
Thank you Sun Camp for caring for our trees!
IES needs volunteer Tree Stewards year-round to water trees until freezing, winterize sites and re-mulch to insulate trees during the winter. If you or someone you know loves trees and plants and is interested in volunteering, please visit http://www.i4es.org/get-involved/ for more information.