Seeing green in Vancouver

By Katie Neis

If Vancouver residents weren’t ready to plant trees at their homes before this summer, they’re definitely ready now!

During the summer, Friends of Trees expanded its outreach in Vancouver by adding canvassers to some of the neighborhoods with low canopy coverage. For two months, with bright orange vests and green door hangers, a team of canvasser extraordinaires hit the streets of Vancouver, talking to homeowners about adding trees to their property.

Some of the best stories from these canvassers included seeing a woman walk her turtle on a leash and checking out a magnificent dogwood that’s more than 100 years old. Whoever said, “Keep Vancouver Normal” obviously didn’t know the real city.

Our wonderful Neighborhood Coordinators also did a great job of reaching out. Their dedication to making the planting season a huge success has been inspirational.

Friends of Trees is sending out another canvassing team this month to drum up support in other Vancouver neighborhoods. Last year Friends of Trees planted more than 400 trees in the city, and we’re looking to add even more this year.

The first Vancouver planting and crew leader training is November 19. If you love planting trees and are interested in expanding the canopy in your Vancouver neighborhood, contact [email protected].

-Neis is Friends of Trees’ Neighborhood Trees Coordinator for Vancouver Urban Forestry.