The Seattle Department of Transportation Street Use & Urban Forestry team, in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities, recently completed another Tree Ambassador training. For the training, focused on street tree stewardship, all survey respondents rated the instructors as good or very good and provided written comments including:
- “All three of the facilitators were enthusiastic, well informed, and very comfortable presenting,”
- “Joshua is excellent with technical questions, and all have a positive and open attitude which is a breath of fresh air…”
- “I enjoyed the mix of speakers, especially hearing from Tree Ambassadors that had already hosted events…”
There are three training topics offered: street tree stewardship; landscape renewal; and tree walks. All training sessions help interested volunteers care for Seattle’s trees, and engage communities in their neighborhood to do the same.
The Tree Ambassador effort is in its third year and has trained 45 volunteers so far in 2014. The project is led by Seattle ReLeaf, a program housed in SPU and in partnership with SDOT and the nonprofit group Forterra.
Following trainings, each participant is asked to submit a project plan outlining what they would like to do. The program evaluates proposals for feasibility, cost, safety, etc., and works with the volunteers to modify and implement plans as necessary.
Tree Ambassador events happen year round, with the next one August 9, from 9 a.m. to noon, on the northeast side of Aurora Avenue & N 46th.
For more information on the program or to see other upcoming events visit the website at: http://www.seattle.gov/trees/treeambassador.htm