COMMUNITY TREE PLANTINGS
From October through March, we routinely host Saturday tree planting events throughout neighborhoods in New Orleans. Tree planting volunteers check in at base camp Saturday mornings by 9am, and should expect to plant until at least 1pm. Planting involves using shovels and pick-axes to plant trees in 15 gallon pots, so volunteers should expect some strenuous activity.
If you’re coordinating a volunteer group for a community planting, please email Ellen Rogers at erogers@soulnola.org.
COMMUNITY TREE PLANTINGS
From October through March, we routinely host Saturday tree planting events throughout neighborhoods in New Orleans. Tree planting volunteers check in at base camp Saturday mornings by 9am, and should expect to plant until at least 1pm. Planting involves using shovels and pick-axes to plant trees in 15 gallon pots, so volunteers should expect some strenuous activity.
If you’re coordinating a volunteer group for a community planting, please email Ellen Rogers at erogers@soulnola.org.
Looking for a bigger role? Become a …
Team Leader
Team Leaders are trained volunteers who oversee smaller teams of volunteers at our community planting events. Team Leaders help drop trees at their planting sites, demonstrate how to properly plant a tree, interface with homeowners, and oversee the planting of their group’s trees. This position requires good communication skills and delegation and is best suited for those who have already attended several SOUL plantings and received training from staff.
Truck Driver
Have a pick-up truck? SOUL needs volunteers with trucks to help us transport trees at our Saturday planting events. Truck Drivers arrive between 8-8:30am and are paired with a Team Leader and planting team for the day. We’ll help you load up trees to drop in the neighborhood before the other volunteers arrive. When the group leaves to plant, you’ll take tools, supplies, and water for your team, and bring the tools back at the end of the day.
Tree Toter
Tree Toters are volunteers who arrive at 8am and assist with loading trees into trucks at Basecamp and unloading at the planting sites. It requires repeated bending and lifting and volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Tree Toters will be paired with a Team Leader and assist them throughout the planting with distributing maintenance sheets to homeowners, overseeing volunteers, and grabbing supplies from Basecamp.
FAQs
If I’m a minor can I still volunteer?
If you are currently in high school and would like to volunteer, we ask that there is at least a 4:1 student/chaperone ratio. We typically don’t allow minors to participate in our maintenance events and we don’t allow groups younger than high school age at tree planting events.
Can I bring my children?
If you bring your child, we ask that you monitor your child at all times. We use pickaxes, shovels, and sometimes heavier duty tools that can be dangerous. Upon checking in to the planting you will be required to sign a waiver.
I am coordinating a group of volunteers. Should the volunteers sign up individually?
If it’s a large group, please reach out to Ellen Rogers directly. She may ask that each individual sign up, depending on the situation
Will we be trained on how to plant the trees?
Of course! We have some well trained Team Leaders who have been volunteering with us for years. You will always have them close by to refer to and we will provide a demonstration before we send you off.
Do I need to bring anything to the plantings?
Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. If there is rain, please bring rain boots, rain jackets, and umbrellas. Gloves and tools are provided. You may consider bringing a hat and sunscreen. Please bring your own reusable water bottle. Coffee will available at the beginning of each planting, water all day, and lunch and beer after the event. Bring a snack if you think you’ll get hungry.
Will an event be cancelled due to rain?
It seems it is always raining in New Orleans, so at SOUL we plant trees rain or shine. However, if thunderstorms or other severe weather are in the forecast, we will postpone and sometimes cancel (decision will be made morning of the event). If an event is cancelled, this information will be posted on our Facebook and Instagram, our website, and an email will be sent out as soon as the cancellation is con
firmed.
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