The West Side Tree Stewards and YOU can help our neighborhood be the RE-FOREST CITY!

(Plain Press, May 2019)    We’re betting you already knew that Cleveland used to be called the FOREST CITY.  The West Side Tree Stewards (a band of local Sherwick Tree Steward Training program graduates) want to help Cleveland’s

Eco-Village and Detroit-Shoreway Community RE-FOREST the City —for all the many benefits that trees bestow on any urban neighborhood, and because we just LOVE trees.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: 

Come to the Tree Top Talkto learn about the RE-Forest project, more about the value of trees in the urban landscape, and how YOU can get involved.   Tuesday, April 30^that 6:30 pm—in the Sanctuary of Calvary Reformed Church, 1918 W. 65^thSt.

Come out to help us plant new treeson Sunday, May 19^th, on Pear and Wakefield Avenues. Please call 216.515.8300 or email dwatson3606@gmail.comto sign up to volunteer.

Help us plan for future plantings on other neighborhood streets where residents want more trees!

BACKGROUND:

Cleveland’s tree canopy (the layer of tree leaves and branches that cover the ground when viewed from above) has degraded over time. Detroit Shoreway in particular has a low 19% canopy cover. Trees not only bring beauty, but improve the environment that we live in and reduce utility costs significantly. If you are interested in learning more about trees in Cleveland, you can take a look at the Cleveland Tree Plan at http://www.clevelandtrees.org/cleveland-tree-plan/.

A group of neighbors have completed the Sherwick Tree Steward Training Program led by Western Reserve Land Conservancy and Holden Forests & Gardens. Through this program we learned how to properly plant, care for, and maintain neighborhood trees. With support from the Land Conservancy, Holden Forests & Gardens, as well as Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization, and Councilman Matt Zone, we’re aiming to put our training to work and build Cleveland’s tree canopy in our neighborhood.

We would appreciate your support in this tree planting – with hopes that we can work together to live in a more beautiful neighborhood. You may choose to participate in the planting, which will occur on Sunday, May 19th and/or you may choose to take the free training to become a Tree Steward yourself (next class starts May 6th! See https://www.wrlandconservancy.org/whatwedo/reforest-our-city/sherwick-tree-steward-trainings/).  Tree Stewards conduct community organizing, education, tree plantings and help ensure care for the trees we plant.  We can also advise you on the care of other trees you may have on your property.

The Tree Stewards for the Pear and Wakefield Avenue plantings are Dolores Watson, who can be reached at dwatson3606@gmail.comand Sasha Ottoson-Deal at sasha.emilie@gmail.com.

Thank you for your support as well as our community partners: ·West Side Tree Stewards ·Holden Forest & Gardens and Western Reserve Land Conservancy ·Cleveland City Council – Matt Zone, Ward 15 ·Detroit-Shoreway Community Development Organization·Calvary Reformed Church.