Roanoke Parks and Recreation is offering a Tree Steward course to train volunteers to provide tree care. The 10 week course begins on Jan. 7 and meets on Monday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. at the City of Roanoke Municipal Building at 215 W. Church Avenue. Three additional Saturday field sessions will be required to complete the program.
Upon completion of the program, participants will be expected to volunteer a minimum of 30 hours in the first year, and 20 hours in subsequent years. Volunteer Tree Stewards will help plant, monitor, and prune the thousands of trees that grow in Roanoke’s parks and along its streets. They also help the public understand tree care and the benefits of trees. Roanoke Urban Forestry Planner Helen Smythers says the city’s Tree Stewards represent a wide variety of ages and backgrounds, with one thing in common: “They all share a love of trees.”
Pre-registration is required by Dec. 31, 2012. Those who signed up at Earth Day need to register again. For more information, including registration, contact Helen Smythers at (540) 853-5225 or [email protected].
