Becoming TreeKeepers with the City of Columbia

For most of January, the AmeriCorps crew in Columbia spent a fair amount of time trying to stay warm and remembering to write “2010” each time something had to be dated. By the end of the month, we were still cold and had mostly gotten used to the new year, but we were ready for something new! Enter the TreeKeepers! The TreeKeepers program is a unique volunteer opportunity offered by the City of Columbia. Each year, approximately 40 citizens can register to be trained as “tree experts” or TreeKeepers. The group meets 3 times for classes on topics such as tree identification, diseases and pests, pruning and planting.

Once the group has completed their formal training, the real fun begins! Throughout the year, volunteer events are scheduled for Saturday mornings so that the new TreeKeepers can go out and practice what they have learned. These “lab sessions,” as they are called by program organizer Chad Herwald, can include tree plantings, invasive species removals, pruning and mulching and much more!

Because MRCN was already hoping to do some of these activities this spring, it seemed only logical that the AmeriCorps members learn from the pros. Lance, Julia and Rebecca are all now newly instated TreeKeepers! Furthermore, we will be collaborating on an event this spring. MRCN and the TreeKeepers will be planting 600 trees in a new park in Columbia! The event will be held the morning of April 17^th, and non-TreeKeepers are welcome too. Let us know if you want to get in on the fun!