TreeKeepers

Check your hours: TreeKeepers Hours for Web (updated 11-23-10)

Upcoming Projects:

• Saturday, March 19, 8:00a.m. at Forum Nature Area (map here) Invasive Callery Pear Removal. Meet in the parking lot at 8am and bring a sturdy pair of gloves to protect your hands. We provide the tools; some work will involve chemical application.
• Friday, April 1, 1:00p.m. at the Parks Management Center (info here) (Map) sorting and wrapping bare-root trees for the next day's Arbor Day Tree Giveaway. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes; work may be partly outdoors and could take several hours.
• Saturday, April 2, 7:45a.m. at the ARC/Farmer's Market parking lot (map here) for the Arbor Day Tree Giveaway. Dress for being outside until the trees run out! Read more!
• Saturday, April 9, 8:00a.m. at the Bear Creek Nature Trail-Garth Nature Area (TreeKeepers Adopt-A-Spot) for Cleanup Columbia (map here). Work will consist of pruning, light planting, general cleaning of the site including litter pickup, etc. Be prepared for a variety of possible tasks(bring gloves). Some demonstration will be done for both pruning and planting for new TreeKeepers who attend.
• Saturday, May 7, 8:00a.m. at Longview Park (map here). We will be doing a planting project.  It will be a combination of bare root, container trees, and maybe a ball and burlap tree or two.  More info to follow...

Let us know if you plan to participate in a project by calling 874-7499 or sending an e-mail to volunteer@GoColumbiaMo.com.

What is the TreeKeepers Program?

TreeKeepers trains volunteers in proper care and maintenance of trees.

TreeKeepers agree to donate at least 36 volunteer hours for City of Columbia tree care projects. All projects are scheduled on Saturday mornings. Training includes the following subjects, with Saturday labs:

TreeKeepers Classes

• Tree identification
• Bio-Diversity, Exotics & Vegetation Management
• Insects & Disease
• Right Tree, Right Place
• Pruning Trees
• City Ordinance, Landscaping & Tree Preservation

Not only will you gain book knowledge, but you also will receive field training and experience to reinforce what you have learned. After completion of the course, you will be provided with opportunities to put your new knowledge into action in very visible ways, making a difference in your city.

TreeKeepers receive an official TreeKeepers polo shirt and a certificate when they have fulfilled 36 hours of volunteer service to tree projects.

Click here to view the 2011 TreeKeepers informational brochure, or contact us at volunteer@GoColumbiaMO.com.

TreeKeepers volunteers:

• Complete the TreeKeepers course.
• Agree to assist the City in organized tree care projects when available, donating at least 36 hours of volunteer time. Projects take place on Saturday mornings. Projects include a variety of activities including planting, pruning, mulching, invasives removal & general maintenance under supervision of the Forester.
• Use standard hand tools and equipment to plant, prune, remove, water fertilize, and mulch trees.
• Perform manual labor, including bending, stooping, digging, reaching, and lifting.
• Work cooperatively with City staff, volunteers, and general public.
• Work outdoors, often during varied weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, etc.)

2011 Presentations:

• Insects and Disease, presented by Rose-Marie Muzika
• City Ordinance Landscaping &Tree Preservation, presented by Chad Herwald
• Pruning, presented by Ann Koenig
• Planting & Planning, presented by Brett O'Brien
• Dendrology, presented by Eric Schmittel
• Bio-Diversity, Vegetation Management, and Exotics & Invasives, presented by Dave Dittmer

November 2010 planting on MKT Trail at Bridge 13

How can I participate?

Class size is limited to 35 people; applicants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Return the completed application to: The Office of Volunteer Services at P.O. Box 6015, Columbia, MO 65205 or fax to 442-0022. Questions? E-mail us at volunteer@GoColumbiaMO.com.

Updated 2-28-11