an adult and a child in park planting a tree sapling

Root for Trees offers public drop-in planting and stewardship volunteer opportunities with no registration required.

Join us as an individual, with a friend or in a small group to help grow and care for Edmonton’s urban forest!

Drop-in Program Types

person in park planting tree sapling

Regular Drop-in Planting 

Learn how to plant native trees and shrubs and help us identify and pull invasive plants with no registration required. We plant up to 200 stems! 

children with instructor in park

Stewardship Drop-in Planting 

Revisit previously planted sites and engage in stewardship activities, including invasive plant removal and planting shrub and wildflowers. Sessions occur on a bi-weekly basis starting in July. 

two persons in park planting tree saplings

Special Themed Drop-in Planting 

Celebrate our urban forest with snacks and refreshments at themed seasonal events in collaboration with local community groups and organizations. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and learn about our urban forest while tree planting. 

Drop-in Schedule

Drop-in events take place weekly on Thursdays from 5:30-8pm and Saturdays from noon-3pm starting in late May to mid-October at various locations. On September 1, Thursdays will shift to 5-7pm.

All training and planting equipment is provided. Volunteers should bring sturdy footwear and dress for the weather.


Drop-in Planting Sites

Each drop-in planting will have a preassigned location. Please see the Drop-in Planting Site Map for site directions and parking information.

DateType of EventLocationTime
Saturday July 18, 2026Special Themed Drop-in: Climb YEGLouise McKinney ParkNoon-3pm
Thursday July 23, 2026Regular Drop-in PlantingTerwillegar Dog Park5:30-8pm
Saturday July 25, 2026Regular Drop-in PlantingTerwillegar Dog ParkNoon-3pm
Thursday July 30, 2026Stewardship Drop-in PlantingHermitage Park5:30-8pm
Saturday August 1, 2026Regular Drop-in PlantingJackie Parker ParkNoon-3pm
Thursday August 6, 2026Regular Drop-in PlantingRundle Park5:30-8pm
Saturday August 8, 2026Regular Drop-in PlantingRundle ParkNoon-3pm
Thursday August 13, 2026Stewardship Drop-in PlantingTerwillegar Dog Park5:30-8pm
Saturday August 15, 2026Special Themed Drop-in: Food Forest in Silverberry Special Event. For more details, visit Special Events.SilverberryNoon-3pm
Thursday August 20, 2026Regular Drop-in PlantingTerwillegar Dog Park5:30-8pm
Saturday August 22, 2026Special Themed Drop-in: Edmonton and Area Land TrustTerwillegar Dog ParkNoon-3pm
Thursday, August 27, 2026Stewardship Drop-in PlantingHermitage Park5:30-8pm
Saturday August 29, 2026Regular Drop-in PlantingJackie Parker ParkNoon-3pm
Thursday September 3, 2026Regular Drop-in PlantingRundle Park5-7:30pm
Saturday September 5, 2026Regular Drop-in PlantingRundle ParkNoon-3pm
Thursday September 10, 2026Stewardship Drop-in PlantingTerwillegar Dog Park5-7:30pm
Saturday September 12, 2026Regular Drop-in PlantingSunwapta Storm Water Management FacilityNoon-3pm
Thursday September 17, 2026Regular Drop-in PlantingTerwillegar Dog Park5-7:30pm
Saturday September 19, 2026Special Themed Drop-in: VIDEA Indigenous YouthTerwillegar Dog ParkNoon-3pm
Thursday September 24, 2026Stewardship Drop-in PlantingHermitage Park5-7:30pm
Saturday September 26, 2026Regular Drop-in PlantingJackie Parker ParkNoon-3pm
Thursday October 1, 2026Regular Drop-in PlantingRundle Park5-7:30pm
Saturday October 3, 2026Regular Drop-in PlantingRundle ParkNoon-3pm
Thursday October 8, 2026Stewardship Drop-in PlantingTerwillegar Dog Park5-7:30pm
Saturday October 10, 2026Regular Drop-in PlantingSunwapta Storm Water Management FacilityNoon-3pm
Thursday October 15, 2026Regular Drop-in PlantingTerwillegar Dog Park5-7:30pm

For more information about Special themed event, please visit Root for Trees Special Events.

Prepare for your Drop-in Planting

What to expect:

  • Upon arrival, check in with Root for Trees staff on site and sign our volunteer sign-in form
  • Staff will provide a site orientation, including a safety talk and planting demonstration
  • You will then receive plant material, shovels and clean gloves
  • Feel free to drop in and leave anytime during the scheduled time slots
  • Staff will be onsite to answer questions and provide guidance on planting safely and pulling safely
  • Plant materials and equipment are available on a first-come-first-served basis

Training and Safety

All training, including a planting demonstration and safety talk, is provided on-site by Root for Trees Program Leaders.

Recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
All safety protocols communicated must be followed while volunteering.

Supplied by the volunteer:

  • Sturdy, closed-toe footwear such as runners (if proper footwear is not worn, volunteers will be unable to participate)
  • Hat, sunglasses and long pants are recommended

Supplied by Root for Trees:

  • Clean gloves
  • Shovels
  • Plant Material

Program Cancellation Policy

Root for Trees will plant rain or shine! However, in the event of severe weather, plantings may be shortened or cancelled for staff and public safety. Severe weather conditions that would necessitate cancellation include:

  • Thunderstorms or lightning
  • Temperature equal to or above 34°C (including the Humidex)
  • Wind, including gusts, of over 45 km/h
  • An air quality health index (AQHI) of 7 or above

The City of Edmonton retains the right to modify or cancel the planting in the case of inclement weather and public safety.

group of persons in park planting seedlings

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Group photo of Root for Trees volunteers in a plating location
Registered Group Tree Planting

Groups of 10 to 45 people can sign up for a tree planting facilitated by a Program Leader.

group of persons at a tree planting event
Root for Trees Special Events

Join us for tree planting and other special events throughout the season to celebrate Edmonton's urban forest and our communities.

Contact Us

311 Contact Centre

Phone  311 | Outside Edmonton and Video Relay Service (VRS): 780-442-5311 | TTY 711

Contact 311 Online