Volunteer
CityTrees loves working with volunteers from our community. The easiest way to volunteer with CityTrees is to sign up for an upcoming event.
At CityTrees, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are. Our commitment to these values is central to our mission. We know that working together and having varied perspectives helps generate better ideas and will result in a larger and healthier tree canopy.
Planting events
CityTrees leads regular planting events in Redwood City from October through April. Planting during these months gives the trees the best chance to thrive. As most of the CityTrees volunteer Board members have full time jobs, planting events usually take place on Saturdays.
Our team relies on community volunteer support for the success of these events. Usually, there is no need to have experience.
Pruning events
CityTrees leads regular pruning events in the evenings during the summer months and occasionally during the day at other times throughout the year.
Our pruning events are open to anyone who has attended our Pruning Seminar (held annually) or who has pruned with us before.
What can you expect at our events?
At each planting event, volunteers are assigned to a small group with a planting captain from CityTrees. Before planting begins, the CityTrees team conducts a Planting Demonstration for all volunteers to observe the process.
During the event, each group works with a designated set of trees. The Planting Captain leads the group in all aspects of the planting process. At the end of the event, volunteers clean all planting areas and return all tools and equipment to the CityTrees trailer.
At each pruning event, volunteers are assigned to a small group, and each group will be given direction on which trees to prune within a given neighborhood.
Our events usually go forward in light rain, but we will email all registrants to cancel in the event of lightning or inclement weather.
What to bring
CityTrees provides all tools and equipment (gloves, safety vests, shovels, pruning tools, etc.), but you are welcome to bring your own gloves if you’d like!
When you come to an event, please bring a water bottle and wear comfortable clothes and closed toe shoes that can get dirty. Please dress in layers and bring rain gear or sun-protection, as necessary.
Volunteer safety
All CityTrees volunteers are required to sign a liability waiver to participate in the event (a parent or guardian signature required for anyone under the age of 18) and:
- wear a safety vest provided by CityTrees
- wear closed toe shoes
- stay on the ground (no climbing trees or ladders)
- wear a safety helmet when using the stake pounder
- follow safety directions provided CityTrees personnel
- attend the Demonstration Planting prior to using any CityTrees tools (planting volunteers)
Endorsements
Organizations we've worked with
CityTrees enjoys working on projects with local businesses, non-profits, and community organizations. It is easiest for our team to coordinate these activities on weekends, as many of our volunteer board members work during the week. Please reach out to see how we might be able to work together.
Rotary Clubs: Redwood City, Woodside, Portola Valley
Kiwanis Club Redwood City
Muslim American Youth Group
Shinnyo-En Buddhist Temple, Redwood City
Key Club – Sequoia High School
Kaiser Permanente Hospital
Students/Parents/Teachers from Sequoia, Carlmont, Woodside, Menlo Atherton, Redwood, Summit, and Everest High Schools
Hands On Bay Area
Box
Oracle
Bento Box Delivery
Students/Parents/Teachers from John Gill, Roosevelt, Clifford, Taft, Fair Oaks, Selby Lane, Hoover, Garfield, North Star, Kennedy, and Roy Cloud Elementary Schools
Boy Scouts
Girl Scouts
Stanford University Fraternity Clubs
Canada Community College Fraternity Clubs
Fair Oaks Beautification Association
Redwood City Pride and Beautification Committee
Redwood City Police Activities League
Youth volunteers
CityTrees welcomes youth volunteers for all our planting events. Due to the nature of our work, we ask that all youth volunteers at our plantings be 14 years or older. Volunteers ages 14-16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the event. Volunteers ages 16-18 may attend events with a signed parent/guardian waiver.