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● Pre-conditions & Considerations: Once the volunteer project is completed, <br />the land will likely still need to be maintained in some way. Make sure there is a <br />plan in place for how to do this. Staff or volunteers may also need to be <br />retrained to take care of trees. <br />Resources and <br />Technical <br />Assistance <br />● Technical Advisor: Valerie McClannahan, Community Forestry Coordinator, <br />MN Department of Natural Resources: <br />○ 651-259-5283, valerie.mcclannahan@state.mn.us <br />○ www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/urban <br />● The Tree Steward Program is a community-based program where city/county <br />staff or representatives request bringing in Tree Steward education. This <br />education allows residents to get involved with caring for their community's <br />public urban and community trees through volunteerism. Essentially, Tree <br />Steward volunteers act as leaders in their community and act as a second pair <br />of eyes within their community. <br />○ Tree Steward volunteers can be trained in a wide array of topics <br />related to trees. This education can include, but is not limited to, the <br />following topics: <br />■ Properly planting trees and leading others at planting events <br />■ Properly pruning young trees to improve the overall health and <br />structure <br />■ Pruning suckers and sprouts from young and mature trees to <br />ensure safety and proper sightlines for the public <br />■ Watering devices available for use and the benefits of utilizing <br />watering devices for young and newly planted trees <br />■ Installation of watering devices on public trees <br />■ Identification of common tree diseases and pests <br />■ How to identify trees of concern - we want to keep the public <br />safe! <br />■ How to report trees of concern to your community so action <br />can be taken <br />● The Minnesota Tree Care Advocate program has a helpline to help people help <br />trees to help their communities! An individual program for Tree Care Advisors <br />trains volunteers to serve as hubs of knowledge and teaching beyond their <br />communities. <br />● The Minnesota Certified Tree Inspector training is available for volunteers and <br />staff. Related is the Minnesota Shade Tree Short Course. <br />● The Minnesota Forest Pest First Detector training certifies volunteers or staff to <br />identify and respond to tree pests. <br />Examples <br />● Almost every state has a tree steward community program. <br />● There is a map of participating communities on the Tree Steward Community <br />website. <br />● Find examples of GreenStep Cities and Tribal Nations engaging volunteers in <br />tree care at BPA 16.6, under “Who’s doing it”. <br />Reporting & <br />Recognition <br />(See reporting <br />instructions in the <br />Welcome Guide) <br />Leaf Recognition Criteria: 1 Leaf is awarded each year that you can document an <br />active volunteer tree planting and maintenance program. This should include ongoing <br />efforts and not just one-off events throughout the year. You can receive a leaf each <br />additional year that a program is active. <br /> <br />Gold Leaf Goals: Document the completion of one or more goals related to this action <br />at any time. 1 Gold Leaf is awarded per goal met. <br /> <br />Alternative: Have a member of your organization become a Tree Steward volunteer or