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Root for Trees

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Root for Trees is Edmonton's volunteer tree planting initiative! Learn about how you can help expand, care for and protect our urban forest.

Online bookings are now open! Visit VolunteerMark to see available volunteer shifts.

Root for Trees increases tree planting throughout the city with the help of local businesses and community groups. The annual target of this initiative is to plant an additional 45,000 trees.

Root for Trees plays a critical role in the landscape management process of naturalization. Over time, these grassy areas are planted with trees, shrubs and wildflowers and brought back to a more natural state, resulting in economic, environmental and quality of life benefits.

Our Progress

259,363 trees and shrubs planted by volunteers since 2012!

Learn about Edmonton’s urban forest and the many benefits that it provides!

By volunteering with Root for Trees, you help:

Expand our urban forest through tree, shrub and wildflower plantings
Care for naturalized areas by reducing weed competition
Protect local habitat and biodiversity

COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Maximum Group Size

Expected Attendance:

For Guided:
- Sign ups are limited to a maximum of 5 people per group

For Self-Guided (Have Shovel Will Travel):
- Sign ups are limited to group sizes of 2-5 people

Groups will be distributed throughout the planting area adhering to physical distancing requirements.

COVID-19 Pre-shift Screening Checklist

Onsite screening must be completed on the day of participating in volunteer shifts.

Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Supplied by the volunteer:

Please arrive with a mask; current protocols will be shared onsite
Sturdy, closed-toe footwear such as runners

Supplied by Root for Trees:

Clean gloves
Hand sanitizer

Distancing

Please maintain a minimum 2 metre distance from others at all times. Root for Trees will expand the planting area to accommodate physical distancing.

Hand Hygiene

Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the duration of the volunteer shifts.

Equipment

Shovels will be provided by Root for Trees and sanitized between each use. No sharing of equipment is allowed.

Service Animals Only

Service animals must be leashed and wearing a service vest/identification.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do people sign up to help plant trees?

Online registration is available on VolunteerMark; or
By emailing rootfortrees@edmonton.ca

How many trees does this program plant every year?

The annual target of this initiative is to plant an additional 45,000 trees.

Can residents plant the trees anywhere?

All Root for Trees plantings occur in naturalized program areas; check the map to see the planting areas.

Guided Plantings will have a preassigned location
Self-Guided Plantings,you choose from a list of approved program locations

How does this affect the City’s naturalization program?

Root for Trees plays a critical role in the landscape management process of naturalization.

What type of trees will be planted?

All trees are native varieties; commonly planted trees include:

Trembling Aspen
White Spruce
Lodgepole Pine
Larch
Balsam Poplar

The program also plants shrubs and wildflowers to add biodiversity to the urban forest.

What type of weather conditions do we plant in?

Root for Trees operates in most weather conditions. The program does not operate in serious weather like thunderstorms, tornadoes, snow storms and strong winds above 45km or with air qualities of 8 or higher.

Is there a specific age requirement to participate in volunteer opportunities?

All ages are welcome. We request that there be one responsible person over the age of 16 for every three children under 7 years old.

Partner, Donor and Sponsor Opportunities

Is your organization committed to a greener future? The City of Edmonton has a goal of planting 2 million more trees by 2050! Your contributions can enhance the City’s volunteer tree planting initiative, Root for Trees, as well as help build a healthy, climate-resilient city.

Corporations, community groups and individual residents are invited to join the Root for Trees program in our effort to expand Edmonton’s urban forest.

Please contact us at citytrees@edmonton.ca to discuss for more information and to customize your sponsor or donor opportunity.

Sponsorship benefits are tailored to each partner but may include:

Contributing to your community
Supporting volunteer efforts
Meeting corporate sustainability goals
Brand exposure

Naturalization

Naturalization, an ecologically-based landscape management approach where highly-maintained land is transformed into a more natural condition.

The Canopy Newsletter

You can receive program updates, fun facts about trees, and interesting urban forestry stories and initiatives information on trees by signing up for our newsletter, The Canopy.

Guided Planting Shifts

An educational experience facilitated by one of our Program Leaders. All plants and tools are provided by Root for Trees.

Have Shovel Will Travel

A flexible, self-guided opportunity for small groups or families! Plant when your schedule allows. We will provide you with training, up to 100 seedlings and a planting kit.