Community Forester Notification

The Park People's Community-based work: adult-ed workshops, tree adoptions, connectors, climate ambassadors, rain barrels, and irrigation kits

En español

In our harsh Denver climate, healthy trees require proper care. Our urban forest spreads across backyards, front yards, street scapes, parks, businesses, places of worship, schools, and open spaces. It takes us all to plant and care for this precious resource, our trees. To do that we team up with neighborhood leaders who are passionate about the health of their communities to grow a green healthy forest that will cool, calm, clean, and even feed us into the future.

Become a Community Forester to learn how to tend trees in your neighborhood. Join a team that’s passionate about rolling up our sleeves and greening our communities.

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Community Forester is an engaging five-part workshop series, a joint program of The Park People and Denver Parks & Recreation. When you become a Community Forester, you’ll connect with tree lovers throughout the city, learn from our experts, hear diverse viewpoints, and roll your sleeves up as a new member of the Park People crew.

Registration will open again on February 15th, 2025.

SIGN UP HERE to receive an email notification when Registration opens.

Pricing Options:

Community Forester Volunteer Track: $25 per workshop for volunteers, or $100 for all five workshops, including the volunteer discount
Professional Development or Personal Enrichment Track: $65 each workshop for professional development, non-volunteers, and personal enrichment, or $300 for all five workshops
Scholarships Available! The Community Forester program is actively seeking to expand and diversify in every neighborhood in Denver. We don't want cost to be a barrier. If you're committed to volunteering in your neighborhood, please indicate what scholarship level you'd like to apply for, on the registration form below.😀

Trees 101: March 2025, 9am-12:30pm

*prerequisite for all other workshops.

**$25 for volunteers, $65 for non-volunteers

Trees 101 teaches the important basics from which other workshops will draw. Hence, you must attend this workshop before all other workshops. We will cover tree biology and the environmental factors that impact tree growth as well as discuss the benefits of trees and common myths. You will also learn what it means to be a Community Forester or a Tree Steward. You'll find out what the program entails and about the various activities that require highly-skilled volunteers and team leaders.

Tree Planting & Health: April 2025, 9am-1pm

**$25 for volunteers, $65 for non-volunteers

In this class, you'll learn to properly plant balled and burlapped, bare root, and container trees in a safe manner using the concepts of Right Tree, Right Place, Right Way. You'll also become familiar with common tree health issues, disease and pest management, and tree health resources. Field component included.

Tree Pruning 101: May 2025, 9am-1pm

**$25 for volunteers, $65 for non-volunteers

By the end of Tree Pruning, you'll know why, what, when, and how to properly prune a young tree to promote right-of-way clearance, strong structure, and long-term health. We will also address pruning safety and specialized, outcome-oriented pruning techniques. Field component included.

Tree Identification: June 2025, 9am-1pm

**$25 for volunteers, $65 for non-volunteers

This workshop will provide a brief historic context of Denver's forest, familiarize you with tree classification and identification methods, and introduce common trees in Denver. You will also learn about these trees' characteristics, requirements, and uses. Field component included.

Volunteer Leadership & Community Engagement: July 2025, 9am-12:30pm

**$25 for volunteers, $65 for non-volunteers (discounted price with advance registration for all five workshops)

Take your volunteerism to the next level... Build your leadership and management skills... Learn how to work across difference... After attending this workshop, you will be able to engage meaningfully with community members and other volunteers in activities in which you've been trained during organized Park People and City events. You'll also be empowered to lead and facilitate effective urban forestry activities in your own community.

*Attendance in Trees 101 is required prior to participation in other workshops. To become a Community Forester, you must complete all five workshops and commit to 10 hours/yr of volunteering, course descriptions below. Those wishing to receive training with no volunteer commitment may also enroll. You will receive a badge in Urban Forestry. Those who do not attend the full workshop series receive the title "Tree Steward" and are able to volunteer in support roles.

** $100 for all 5 workshops, with an individual workshop cost of $25. We are able to offer a limited number of need-based scholarships in honor of Sue Cannon. If you wish to be considered for a scholarship, please request that at enrollment over the phone.

Earn your Badge in Urban Forestry: $300 for all 5 workshops, with an individual workshop cost of $65. No scholarships are available at this time for this track.

Those who do not fulfill their commitment will be charged full price (equivalent to the Badge in Urban Forestry).

The Community Forester Program supported by:

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