Richmond, CA (October, 2012) Tree-planting is an important part of the ongoing Richmond renaissance that has been transforming the city for the last few years. And you are invited to be a part of this transformation on Saturday, November 3, 2012, from 9 am to 1 p.m. Volunteers of all ages and abilities are invited to participate.
Residents of the City of Richmond will be joined by community volunteers from Richmond Trees, Groundwork Richmond and The Watershed Project to celebrate the fall’s Harvest Festival and Tree Planting event with headquarters on 35th St. in North & East Richmond, between Roosevelt & Cerrito.
9:00 a.m. Harvest festivities begin with a volunteer orientation about planting trees.
9:30 a.m. Volunteers will divide into seven planting teams, each captained by an experienced Tree Steward to plant 30 new street trees along Roosevelt, and on the 500 and 600 blocks of 29th, 30th, 31st, 32nd, 35th & 36th streets in the surrounding neighborhood. Richmond Trees and the City of Richmond will provide shovels and vests. Those who would like to participate in planting trees are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes.
11 a.m. La Rondalla del Sagrado Corazón, a local musical ensemble, will play traditional Mexican serenade music.
12 p.m. Speakers including Chris Magnus, Richmond’s Chief of Police and Chris Chamberlain, Superintendent of Parks & Landscaping speaking about the many benefits of growing the urban forest.
Healthy harvest refreshments, water and coffee will be available for a small donation that will support the work Richmond Trees is doing in the community to grow the urban forest. There will be art activities and games for children.
All supporting organizations are committed to tree planting due to the many benefits:
- Removing carbon dioxide from the air and replacing it with oxygen, slowing global warming;
- Reducing air pollution by absorbing harmful chemicals;
- Replenishing our groundwater supply by reducing storm-water runoff and allowing water to soak into the surrounding soil;
- Providing an urban habitat for wildlife;
- Softening neighborhood noise;
- Reducing speeding traffic;
- Improving public safety;
- Increasing property values by 15% or more.
The effect of street trees on a community has perhaps been underestimated in the past, but, as Chief Magnus has commented, “An attractive neighborhood enhanced by the natural beauty of trees sends a message that the people who live there care and are engaged with what’s going on around them. This helps decrease crime and improves safety for all residents.”
For more information about the Harvest Festival and Tree Planting event, or planting trees in your own Richmond neighborhood, contact info@richmondtrees.org, 510.843.8844.
Support for this project was provided by a grant from California ReLeaf, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection with funding from the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006. Additional support for the purchase of trees was provided by PG&E, especially those trees being planted under wires. Partners include Richmond Trees, City of Richmond and Groundwork Richmond.