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David R. Hammond is a Class of 2022 Community Forester with The Park People. Community Forester cultivates knowledgeable, skilled volunteer city forest stewards through our five-part  workshop series. The series empowers residents to lead their own community greening projects in their neighborhood. The Park People is sharing David's thoughts on why he loves being a Community Forester and fellow Park Person. Read the article to hear his "why" and get more information about the workshop series. Registration opens in early 2023! We'd love to have you join us!

We sat down with Evon Lopez, community organizer, grandmother, student, hiker, tree lover aaand…The Park People’s new Community Connector to talk about her life, her work, her community, and her dreams. At 62, Evon is retired from a 25-year career working with the City and County of Denver as a Human Resource professional. She cares for her infant grandson full time while pursuing a masters degree in Human Resource Management and working tirelessly on behalf of Valverde residents. We asked Evon why she chose to take on the role of Community Connector when she’s already so busy. She responded: “I got into this because I saw it as a way to bring more trees into the Valverde Neighborhood, because I love and honor the people from this neighborhood with all my heart. Yet something has happened, and I don’t know how to describe it. It’s supernatural. I feel like somebody pushed a button in me. I think I’ve fallen for you, trees, The Park People magic. Perhaps I’m smitten, or is it bitten? Community Connectors are important because we teach each other. You teach me about trees and show me how to bring more people in. I speak the language of Valverde and that’s important for The Park People’s work to be successful there."

The Gates Tennis Center, built in 1975, is an award-winning public recreation facility that features club-like amenities with an emphasis on affordability and inclusivity, encouraging all Denverites to enjoy a fun and healthy lifestyle. Gates offers innovative and inclusive programming and community outreach that makes the facility a welcoming place for all. We have some very exciting announcements and activities happening at Gates Tennis Center. Pickleball is adding so many positive benefits and a major tennis tournament is coming up. Learn more about Gates Tennis Center.

The Park People could not accomplish its incredible work planting trees, improving parks, and greening our city without the support of local champions. Shawn Snelgrove is one of those generous, thoughtful Denverites. She was involved in our program, Community Forester, and quickly became a part of the crew. Seeing the need to steward our urban forest, she decided to use her time and talents to support our organization in more ways than one. 

Not only is she a Denver Community Forester, but Shawn is the Founder and President of Brainstorming A la Mode, Inc. Using her coaching and consulting capabilities, she recently held a training on public speaking, and engagement for facilitators with staff members of The Park People and the Office of the City Forester who teach the Community Forester workshops. It was truly a worthwhile and incredibly helpful experience.

We met up with her and asked her some questions regarding her work with The Park People.

There is a well-documented worker shortage across the country. As hiring demands grow towards pre-pandemic numbers, we’re still seeing inadequate numbers of workers. Many experts note that wage stagnation over the last several decades contributes to this shortage. To make matters more complicated, the number of skilled workers does not match the demand for the crucial, innovative work across industries. There are not enough resources available to help folks transition to better paying, more stable careers. This is also affecting Denver's urban forest.

Our new program Treeforce, laucnhing August 2022, will address these issues.

Read this blog post to learn how we will help fill the worker shortage throughout the greater Denver area, while connecting community members facing barriers to employment to meaningful career paths in urban forestry