Programs: Community Stewardship

What it is

The Community Stewardship Program assists neighborhoods and communities in the development of resources, capacity, and a network that can “Bring Nature Back” to resource challenged and environmentally challenged communities. This helps interested residents and business owners take action by initiating, developing and maintaining such improvements.

What it does

Experience has shown that the success of neighborhood improvement projects is ensured when the community is engaged in the care and health of the project. It is their stewardship that provides the quality of life benefits envisioned by the project.

North East Trees continues to promote the upkeep of installed improvements by:

• Increasing the public's understanding of the value of the urban and community forest and their responsibility for its health
• Organizing community based environmental and tree give away events
• Conducting weekend workshops for community members to learn about tree planting and tree care
• Conducting classes for community members in native plant identification, and exotics removal
• Organizing volunteer events where community members help plant trees along streets in their neighborhoods
• Reiterating the importance of advocacy, organization, and community empowerment

• Developing curriculum for the program with funding from local businesses, government grants, foundations and philanthropists

Our goal is to create new Community Stewards mobilized to advocate for funding and resources for restoration projects, and who will be “positive agents of transformation” to sustain the restoration improvements.