Volunteer

We plant trees and install sidewalk gardens year-round in a variety of neighborhoods. Tree plantings generally run from 9 a.m. to about 1 p.m., and often include coffee, pastries and a potluck lunch provided by neighborhood residents. Our plantings are led by FUF staff and volunteer Planting Leaders. Volunteers who gain sufficient experience may become Planting Leaders (and receive special FUF t-shirts).

We make scheduled “house calls” to street trees during the critical first few years after they’re planted. With the guidance of FUF staff, volunteers assess the health of the trees, ensure that their supporting stakes and ties are sound, and prune the trees as needed. After gaining some experience and training, volunteers may become Emergency Tree Care Volunteers, who are occasionally dispatched by FUF to save small fallen or leaning trees in their own neighborhoods, using tools provided by FUF.

Our outreach volunteers contact neighborhood residents and property owners to spread the word about upcoming plantings and help get them signed up to receive trees. Outreach volunteers can spread the word in a variety of ways: they can walk the neighborhood, posting flyers and knocking on doors; they can focus on specific venues such as a school or business; and they can reach out online via email and social media.

You can use your office skills to keep us running smoothly. Do data entry, handle phone calls, send email messages and more.

(photography, crossbrace cutting, translation/interpreting, or other special skills).