Help spread the word about Friends of Trees this summer

By Andrew Land

The 2010-11 planting season has come to a triumphant end, and that can mean only one thing–the 2011-12 planting season will be here before we know it!

Among the earliest stages of getting next planting season underway is Friends of Trees’ attendance at summer festivals, farmers markets, street fairs, and Sunday Parkways events. The Plant it Portland! campaign has been a huge boon to public awareness of our good work, but we strive to keep spreading the word about both our volunteer opportunities and excellent tree deals while the weather is gorgeous and people are out and about. To that end, we’d love your help as a summer festival volunteer!

If you’re outgoing, energetic, and enthusiastic about the importance of trees, we invite you to attend our training for summer festival outreach volunteers, which will be held on Thursday, June 16, from 6 to 8:30 pm at the Friends of Trees office (3117 NE ML King, Jr. Blvd.).

The outreach role is a particularly great opportunity for anyone interested in marketing and public relations, or in sharpening communication skills as an advocate. Most importantly, being a summer festival volunteer is an excellent way to enjoy community events and to take in the best weather Portland has to offer while doing your part to help make a lasting impression on our urban landscape.

We ask that summer festival volunteers attend at least two four-hour shifts at Friends of Trees tables over the course of the summer. We’ll train you on how to recruit volunteers, sign people up to plant both yard and street trees, and speak comfortably on behalf of Friends of Trees. From there,  we’ll identify which events would work best with your schedule and location.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Andrew Land at 503-282-8846 ext. 18 or [email protected] with any additional questions.

–Land is Volunteer & Outreach Specialist for Friends of Trees.