CommuniTree Stewards Training Course
- Thursday, March 14, 2024, 5:45 PM - 8:00 PM
A CommuniTree Steward (CTS) course to train Buffalo area residents to care for juvenile trees is planned by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County (CCE Erie) and area partners. The CTS training will offer a five-part classroom and in-field training taught by experts in the field of arboriculture. For our 2024 sessions, Roswell Park will host the classes at their Community Outreach and Engagement Center (907 Michigan Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14263).
“CCE of Erie County is pleased to be working in coordination with The Buffalo Green Fund and other project partners including the City of Buffalo, Re-Tree, and area arborists to continue the effort first launched in Buffalo two years ago,” said CCE Erie Executive Director, Diane Held. “Our goal is to train 25 volunteers this spring, and engage volunteers trained from the start of the program in community juvenile tree care projects, as well as build volunteer efforts into the future.”
“This course started in 2016 in Western New York as the logical next step to nurture the trees that have been planted since the devastating October 12, 2006, surprise snowstorm,” stated Paul Maurer, with Re-Tree Buffalo “The project partners are collaborating to create a well-trained volunteer corps of tree caretakers. Together we’ve trained over100 tree stewards.”
The 2024 CTS Classes will be offered on Thursday evenings from 5:45 – 8:00 pm, March 14th to April 11th. Registration is now open. Please be sure to submit the additional information requested in the registration process.
“Roswell Park is appreciative to be able to assist the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County and the community with such environmental classes that help to create sustainable environments and healthy neighborhoods,” said Frances Harfouche, Director of Operations, Office of Community Outreach & Engagement.
In the over fifteen years since the 2006 October surprise snowstorm destroyed thousands of street and park trees, partners including Re-Tree and its volunteers; the Buffalo Green Fund; the City of Buffalo; and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy have worked to re-establish our area’s tree canopy.
“If you are looking for a meaningful way to mitigate the threat that climate change poses sign up for this invaluable training. You must be the change you want to see in the world,” stated Gail Wells, current chair of the Buffalo Green Fund.
Cindy Kincaide, past chair of The Buffalo Green Fund shared, “We are pleased to have this growing group of well-trained tree stewards who are able to assist in caring for the thousands of juvenile trees that volunteers have planted since the spring of 2007!”
Session planners appreciate the support of local tree care professionals in helping to teach the classes including Jim Kisker of Schichtel’s Nursery; Lori Brockelbank with Davey International; and James Hornung, of Elbers Landscape Service.
In return for the training, the stewards are asked to volunteer at least 10 hours annually caring for our area’s juvenile street and park trees. The support of The Buffalo Green Fund allows CCE Erie and project partners to plan organized volunteer service opportunities through the remainder of 2024 for trained CTS volunteers. The trained stewards are also encouraged to assist their own communities and block clubs in caring for young trees.
If you have questions about the CTS Program or training opportunity, contact Sharon Bachman at 716-652-5400 x150 or sin2@cornell.edu.
Accommodations for persons with special needs may be requested by contacting Sharon Bachman at (716) 652-5400 x150 or sin2@cornell.edu at least 5 days before the event.
Learn More
https://erie.cce.cornell.edu/agriculture/wny-communitree-steward-cts-project
Register
https://pub.cce.cornell.edu/event_registration/main/events_landing.cfm?event=2024WNYCTSClasses_214
Location
Roswell Park Community Outreach Center
907 Michigan Avenue,
Buffalo, New York 14263
Last updated February 21, 2024