Our community is investing in healthier, more resilient green spaces—and we’re inviting community members to help shape that future. A new program, Naturehood Stewards, places stewards directly in neighborhoods or Naturehoods located in different parts of the city—at parks, schools, and shared public spaces—to care for trees, native plants, and ecologically designed landscapes. The goal is to nurture thriving outdoor environments while building local expertise and creating meaningful opportunities for community members to get involved.
Two Ways to Participate
We’re offering two complementary roles with monthly stipends, each supporting the long-term health of our urban landscape.
Neighborhood Foresters
The Neighborhood Forester program, hosted by PLAY Foundation’s Tree Trust, is designed for residents who want to champion the health of trees. Through training provided by Tree Trust and experienced arborists, participants learn the essentials of tree care, canopy stewardship, and community engagement. Neighborhood Foresters help monitor tree health, support planting efforts, and serve as local ambassadors for a stronger, more resilient urban forest.
Neighborhood Foresters will also receive guidance and mentorship from the Tree Trust and the program’s consulting arborists to support their personal growth and development.
Learn more and apply (Link to TT).
Garden Stewards
Garden Stewards receive in-depth training in ecological gardening, with a strong focus on native plants, soil health, and sustainable landscape practices (link to curriculum). After completing the initial training, stewards are assigned at parks, new school landscaping installations, or community gathering spaces where they help maintain and establish native plantings and support the long-term success of ecologically designed landscapes.
As a year round position, Garden Stewards participate in ongoing trainings, field trips, and community engagement activities that introduce them to a range of landscapes and ecological care techniques. This role is ideal for anyone passionate about native plants, pollinator habitat, climate resilient gardening, and hands-on environmental stewardship.
Why It Matters
Healthy landscapes—especially those built around native plants and well-cared-for trees—support pollinators, improve soil health, reduce stormwater runoff, and strengthen our community’s resilience. Naturehood Stewards working directly in our communities help to ensure that new plantings thrive, public spaces flourish, and community members have opportunities to learn and lead.
Together, we can grow a greener, more connected community.