2007 Spring Citizen Forester Training

In celebration of Earth week, the spring RNeighborWoods Citizen Forester training graduated 17 tree enthusiasts on Wednesday, April 25, 2007. The class culminated with the group, led by Girl Scout Troop 100 planting a ball and burlap tree at the Quarry Hill Nature Center.The RNeighborWoods Citizen Forester program presents a hands-on opportunity to learn how to plant, prune, and maintain trees. It also provides a chance to get involved and help our community take care of its urban forest. Since 2004, this program has now trained over 115 community members as Citizen Foresters.

Classes took place on Tuesday, April 24, and Wednesday, April 25, from 4-6 pm, at the Quarry Hill Nature Center. The free class was led by Jacob Ryg, the Rochester City Forester and Lyle, a Certified Arborist from Maier Forest & Tree. It concluded with a hands-on opportunity to plant a tree properly.

Seventeen adults and young people took this two-day instruction class on tree basics including tree care, diseases and pests, proper planting techniques, benefits of trees, urban forestry, and community tree issues.

The class planted a Service Berry (sometimes called a June Berry) tree, native to Southeastern MN. It will be a part of the scenic landscape and be enjoyed by visitors to Quarry Hill Nature Center for years to come.

Some graduates of this class will help to lead the spring RNeighborWoods boulevard tree planting on Elton Hills Drive, Saturday, April 28. There will be free RNeighborWoods t-shirts to the first 150 people, free refreshments for all, and over 100 trees to plant. This family friendly activity will begin at 9:30 am and end with the Litter Bit Better picnic at 11:30 am. We welcome you to join in the fun!

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