Citizen Forester Program

Citizen Foresters are Casey Trees-trained volunteers who serve the DC

community by helping to restore, enhance, and protect our city's tree

canopy. Citizen Foresters utilize resources from the city and nonprofit

organizations to improve the health of trees, increase tree cover, and

promote and protect the city’s green infrastructure. The Citizen Forester

Program is led by Sue Erhardt, Director of Education.

To become a Citizen Forester, volunteers complete a series

of free classroom instruction, field training, and community

service. Local experts and guest speakers help Casey Trees staff teach
these sessions. The curriculum includes three modules, each with training

and service components. No previous experience is required to take

either the Tree Planting or Trees 101 classes.

Citizen Forester curriculum:

Trees 101

Tree Planting

Trees in the City

Classes for advanced Citizen Foresters include:

Community Tree Planting (CTP)-Lead Citizen Forester Training Workshop

Tree Walk

Pruning Workshop

The on-going work of a Citizen Forester includes:

Tree Inventories
New Tree Preparation and Planting
Tree Pruning and Care
Tree Monitoring
Environmental Education
Community Organization
Neighborhood Leadership

Citizen Forester Class: Trees 101
No experience necessary. An introduction to the urban forest in Washington, D.C. Tuesday, September 9, 2008. The service component consists of participation in a tree walk. The walk is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 am until 1 pm at Rock Creek Park.
Class info>>
Trees 101 sign-up>>


Add Your Community to our Spring 2009 Schedule!
Applications for our next Community Tree Planting (CTP) grants are due November 30.
Download the CTP application form >>