What’s a CommuniTree Steward?

CommuniTree Stewards are volunteers who help out the departments of public works and parks in Syracuse and Onondaga County with the planting and care of new trees. 2006 is the fifth year of this program, run by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County. Extension educators train volunteers in the technical skills of site assessment, species selection, and proper planting, mulching and pruning of young trees. Stewards learn elements of tree health and urban forest health, and then practice their new skills caring for trees in public places such as parks, and schools. Ten hours training is received in exchange for 15 hours of volunteer service. Since 2002, 116 stewards have given over 2400 hours to prune and care for more than 1650 trees and have planted 475 trees on parks and in neighborhoods.

Training begins in early April.

If you are interested in knowing more about the program, contact Fran Lawlor: CCE Onondaga County, 220 Herald Place, 2nd Floor, Syracuse, NY 13202; 315//424-9485 x232; e-mail: FML7@cornell.edu.