Needs From: Belmont Office of Community-Engaged Learning and Service

Join Friends of Shelby and Metro Water Services as we plant the next generation of shade trees in Shelby Park!

What will volunteers be doing at this event?

Volunteers will be planting large, young trees at the base of Windmill Hill in Shelby Park. We will be using tools like shovels, pick mattocks, and wire cutters to dig holes, and then work together to plant and cover the trees' root balls. The trees can be heavy, up to 100 pounds, so we will work in teams to get them planted.

What is the community impact of this event?

Trees are known for their ecological importance for water filtration, providing clean air, and for the animals and insects that rely on them for food and shelter. From a human standpoint, trees provide shade and help purify the water and air we need to live. Some of these trees will outlive us, meaning the work we do here will impact generations after we're gone!

Accessibility:

This can be a strenuous job, and it requires volunteers to be able to walk, bend, and kneel over uneven ground while digging the holes. Volunteers should be prepared to do heavy digging and lifting work for the duration of the project. There is a parking lot nearby that you can easily walk over from, and there are typically port-a-potties within walking distance as well.

What should volunteers bring or wear?

Volunteers are required to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants for your safety. Due to the time of year, please be sure to wear adequate cold weather gear, like coats, scarves, hats, and warm socks. Friends of Shelby will provide everything else (work gloves, all tools, a water cooler with cups, and snacks).

What’s next?

Once you sign up, you'll receive an email the week of the event with more information on parking, weather, etc. If you have questions before then, please reach out to cd@friendsofshelby.org. Hope to see you out there!

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Founded in 2008, Friends of Shelby is a private, nonprofit organization working to preserve, enhance, and promote Shelby Park and Bottoms for everyone to appreciate and protect. We work to protect the natural and historical integrity of the area by supporting appropriate recreational activities, maintaining and enhancing its features, promoting programs that inspire appreciation and conservation of the Park and Bottoms, and advocating for a level playing field for the various user groups.

Do you love conservation? Want to work outdoors to protect the natural ecosystems of Shelby Park and Bottoms? We need you!

Shelby Park and Bottoms is a natural oasis in the heart of the city. The forests here are a refuge for people and wildlife alike. Our Shelby forests need help: they are being overtaken by invasive plant species. Through our Restore the Forest program, we remove invasive species and replant native species to revitalize a healthy forest ecosystem.

What is the community impact of this event?
Healthy forests are beautiful for park visitors, provide food and shelter for wildlife and make our local ecosystem more resilient by promoting and enhancing growth of native plant species.

What will volunteers be doing at this event?
At this event, we will be uprooting and cutting down honeysuckle and privet plants with weed wrenches, loppers, and hand saws. They will work in small groups under the supervision of experienced staff and recurring volunteers that will help teach proper plant identification and safe tool usage.

Accessibility:
This event will include hiking while carrying heavy tools over uneven ground, and we will be working off-trail within the woods. Please dress according to the weather. Porta-potties are located a short walk from our worksite, and there should always be ample parking located nearby the worksite.

What to bring?
I recommend bringing your own water bottle and sunscreen. Water, gloves, all necessary tools, and additional water will be provided. Please wear sturdy shoes that are good for gardening (e.g. hiking boots), long socks, and long pants to protect yourselves from sticks and thorns in the forest. If possible, long sleeved shirts can also be helpful for protection, but please dress according to the weather.

What’s next?
If you sign up for this event, you will receive a reminder email a few days before the event with specific instructions regarding parking and any other necessary information.

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Founded in 2008, Friends of Shelby is a private, nonprofit organization working to preserve, enhance, and promote Shelby Park and Bottoms for everyone to appreciate and protect. We work to protect the natural and historical integrity of the area by supporting appropriate recreational activities, maintaining and enhancing its features, promoting programs that inspire appreciation and conservation of the Park and Bottoms, and advocating for a level playing field for the various user groups.

Want to get your hands dirty and enjoy some time in the great outdoors? The Shelby Bottoms Nature Center is looking for a few helpful hands to do some weeding, trimming, watering, and anything else to help make their garden as beautiful as possible!

What will volunteers be doing at this event?

Volunteers will be using hand tools to remove weeds, trim back overgrown plants, lay down mulch, water plants, and other tasks to tend to their pollinator and vegetable garden.

What is the community impact of this event?

The Shelby Bottoms Nature Center provides numerous educational opportunities for people of all ages, all for free, and helping tend to their garden creates a welcoming environment for people to learn in! This garden is meant to show people the power of pollinators and planting plants in harmony with one another, so by keeping it healthy, the community will in turn have a beautiful, functional space to learn and gather in.

Accessibility:

The garden is located off of the paved greenway, meaning being able to move over an unpaved surface is required. Volunteers will need to be able to either use at least one hand or have a way to hold hand tools in order to dig and weed in the dirt. Kneeling in the dirt will happen for the majority of the event, and you will have chances to take breaks. This spot is largely unshaded, so please be mindful of sun exposure (sunscreen can be provided, but dressing according to the weather is important). There is a large parking lot located in front of the Nature Center with an overflow lot as well. The Nature Center has running water and restrooms on site.

What should volunteers bring or wear?

Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and long socks for your safety. Long pants are best for protecting your knees, but please be mindful of the temperatures. Please wear clothing that will protect you from the sun (hats, sunglasses, light colors that cover exposed skin). Bringing a water bottle is recommended but not required. The Nature Center staff will have all of the necessary tools and gloves (you may bring your own gloves if you wish), as well as extra sunscreen, bug spray, and a water cooler.

What’s next?

Once you sign up, you'll receive a pre-event email a day or two before the event with more information on parking, weather, and any other important notes.

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Founded in 2008, Friends of Shelby is a private, nonprofit organization working to preserve, enhance, and promote Shelby Park and Bottoms for everyone to appreciate and protect. We work to protect the natural and historical integrity of the area by supporting appropriate recreational activities, maintaining and enhancing its features, promoting programs that inspire appreciation and conservation of the Park and Bottoms, and advocating for a level playing field for the various user groups.