Tree Planting at W. Mohawk
Image by Re-Tree
Pounding tree stakes in Buffalo
Image by Re-Tree
Buffalo area tree staking
Image by Re-Tree
Sister Johnice assisting with tree planting
Image by P. Maurer
Olmstead Tree Planting
Image by P. Maurer

WNY CommuniTREE Steward (CTS) Project

Welcome to the WNY CommunitTREE Steward Project webpage! 

Thanks for visiting!  Due to the pandemic we were not able to host a full training series in 2020.  With the state of emergency lifted we are in process of re-activating our efforts.

If you are interested in receiving information about our upcoming Tree Stewardship trainings,  contact Jolie Hibit at  jah663@cornell.edu.

About the WNY CommuniTREE Steward Project

In March 2016, CCE Erie, along with a number of  partners, launched a five-part classroom and in-field training series to teach Buffalo area residents to care for juvenile trees.  Instructors for the classes included professionals in the fields of arboriculture and biology.   Funding has been provided to the project by the   Buffalo Green Fund.  Representatives from the  City of Buffalo Department of Parks and Recreation, Re-Tree, Wendel Companies and Buffalo Olmsted Conservancy helped to organize the training.  Following the training, participants will volunteer their time to assist in urban street tree planting and maintenance projects. 

"This course is the first of its kind in Western New York and is the logical next step to nurture the trees that have been planted since the devastating October 12, 2006 surprise snowstorm," stated Paul Mauer,  with Re-Tree Buffalo.  "The project partners are collaborating to create a well-trained volunteer corps of tree caretakers.  Thousands of street and park trees were destroyed by the snowstorm and have been replaced by Re-Tree's volunteers, the City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. 

2024 CTS Volunteer Opportunities

Date     

Time


Event RSVP to Location
4-20-24

9:00am          


Pre Re-Tree Planting               Training

https://  www.buffalogreenfund.org/

Torn Space Theatre - 612 Fillmore Ave; Buffalo, NY  14212
4-25-24

5:30pm


Tree Planting/re-location https://signup.com/go/ysQVyim Doat and Poplar Sts Buffalo
4-27-24

9:00am


Re-Tree Planting event

https://www.buffalogreenfund.org/volunteer

 Various


2024 Dates:  Thursdays, March 14th - April 11th

Location:  Roswell Park Community Center, 907 Michigan Ave; Buffalo, NY

Time:  5:45 - 8:00 pm

CTS Volunteer In-person Training Schedule

Our CTS trainings include five sessions each about 2.25 hours long. Class topic order may vary.


Class Topics
Week 1  Introduction to CTS, Tree Biology
Week 2 Tree ID
Week 3
Tree Maintenance and Pest Problems
Week 4  Pruning, Safety and Regulations
Week 5 Tree Establishment and Planting Activity

Thanks to the Buffalo Green Fund for supporting our efforts.  If you would like to contribute to the  Buffalo Green Fund which supports programs and projects that help beautify and enhance the parks, neighborhoods and public spaces throughout the urban landscape, visit their website at  buffalogreenfund.org.

Thank you to CCE Onondaga and City of Syracuse Forestry Department for allowing us to model our course after their training and materials.

Contact

Sharon Bachman
Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator
sin2@cornell.edu
(716) 652-5400 x150

Last updated September 16, 2024