Change is in the air. Change with us!

By Andy Meeks

Saturday, Sept. 22, marks the first day of autumn, and it seems that Mother Nature has an uncanny sense of timing with the weather. But the change of seasons is not only apparent in the air temperature and cloud cover.

Here at Friends of Trees our excitement and anticipation for the new planting season increases with each passing day. Although this will be our 24th annual planting season, it always feels like we get to start again for the first time. We get to change our approaches each year as we develop better, more efficient methods. Change is always a constant presence for us. And change can be measured in so many different ways.

More than just the leaves are changing this season! (Photo by Emma Gray)

Every season, between October and April, we plant thousands of street and yard trees and tens of thousands of small, native trees and plants. We’re changing the look of our streets and green spaces to help increase stormwater mitigation and watershed health, we’re helping make positive change in our community by engaging thousands of individuals, and we’re changing how people think about the value of trees so they recognize trees’ many benefits.

Will you help us make more of these changes this year?

Our volunteer crew leaders are a small army of about 400 dedicated individuals who have learned how to plant trees the Friends of Trees way and how to lead groups of volunteers at our Saturday morning planting events. Crew leaders come from different backgrounds, ages and skill levels, but the best thing is that no prior experience is required. We’ll teach you everything you need to know at our training events, and you’ll learn quickly from other experienced crew leaders as you go.

Our Crew Leader Trainings are incredibly popular and space fills up quickly. Save your space by registering soon for one of the trainings below!