Community Egg Hunt 10am SAT April 3rd @ Cole Arts & Science Academy

Community egg hung this Saturday the 3rd at Cole Arts & Sciences Academy at 10am. There will be over 3000 eggs for the kids!

District 8 Ice Cream Social June 4, 6-9pm

The 2nd Annual District 8 Ice Cream Social will be held on Friday, June 4, 6:00 to 9:00 at the City Park Pavilion.

Carla Madison
City Councilwoman District 8

Free & Affordable Street Trees for your Neighborhood!

Applications are available for The Park People’s annual Denver Digs Trees Spring Street Tree Distribution on April 17, 2010. Please help us spread the word and get more trees in your neighborhood!

Denver Digs has provided more than 38,000 affordable and free street trees to Denver residents and neighborhoods over the past 18 years. We offer a variety of beautiful trees that provide many services to our neighborhoods and make our communities healthier, more livable places.

These street trees are FREE to residents in our target neighborhoods – and only $25 each for all other Denver residents! (Trees this size usually sell for more than $100)
Target neighborhoods: Athmar Park, Baker, Barnum, Barnum West, Chaffee Park, Clayton, Cole, Elyria-Swansea, Five Points, Globeville, Jefferson Park, Lincoln Park, Montbello, Northeast Park Hill, Ruby Hill, Skyland, Sunnyside, Sun Valley, Valverde, Villa Park, West Colfax, Westwood, and Whittier. While trees for all other neighborhoods cost $25, “Treeships” are available for those with financial hardship.

The deadline for Tree Applications is February 15, and we will NOT issue extensions this year. So we need to get the word out to residents ASAP.

Become a Community Forester!

The revamped Community Forester Program has arrived!

First established in 2003, the program has undergone significant revision to provide volunteers with deeper, enriching, and well-rounded training in the field of urban forestry. These volunteers are empowered to lead and participate in tree planting and care projects in their neighborhoods and for The Park People, Denver's Forestry Division, and the Mile High Million tree planting initiative.

The revamped Community Forester Program offers 5 workshops: Trees 101, Tree Planting & Health, Tree Identification & Inventory, Tree Pruning, and Volunteer Leadership & Management.

To become a "Community Forester," participants must complete the 4 mandatory workshops and then may choose to attend the optional Volunteer Leadership & Management workshop free of charge. We encourage you to complete the training series within a year, but realize that scheduling may not permit this. Community Foresters receive a unique Community Forester identification number and are qualified to lead and participate in a wide variety of activities.

Individuals who choose to attend only part of the workshop series receive the title of "Tree Steward" and are able to volunteer in support and task-specific roles.

The first training workshop is Saturday, March 13, so check out the details and call us at 303-722-6262 to register! Registration deadline: March 10. Space is limited. Participants must be at least 16 years of age.


UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Trees 101 prerequisite for all other workshops - $15
Sat, March 13, 8am-11am
Trees 101 provides important fundamentals from which other workshops will draw. Thus, this workshop is a prerequisite for all other modules. We will cover the basics of tree biology and the environmental factors that impact tree growth as well as discuss the benefits of trees and common misconceptions.
Community Forester Program Introduction
11:15am-12pm
Immediately following Trees 101, learn what it means to be a Community Forester or a Tree Steward. Find out what the training entails and about the various types of activities that require uniquely-skilled volunteers and team leaders.

Tree Planting & Health - $20
Sat, April 10, 8am-12pm
In this class, you'll learn to properly plant balled & burlapped, bare root, and container trees in a safe manner using the concepts of Right Tree, Right Place, Right Way. You'll also become familiar with common tree health issues, disease and pest management, and tree health resources. Field component included.

Tree Identification & Inventory - $15
Sat, May 8, 9am-12pm
This workshop will provide a brief historic context of Denver's forest, familiarize you with tree classification and identification methods, and introduce common trees in Denver as well as these trees' characteristics, requirements, and functionality. Instructors will also introduce basic tree inventory concepts and tree measurement techniques. Field component included.

Tree Pruning - $15
Sat, June 12, 9am-12pm
By the end of Tree Pruning, you'll know why, what, when, and how to properly prune a young tree to foster strong structure and long-term health. We will also address pruning safety and specialized pruning techniques to achieve specific outcomes. Field component included.

Volunteer Leadership & Management optional - $15
Sat, July 10, 9am-12pm
Take your volunteerism to the next level... Build your leadership and management skills... Individuals who attend this workshop gain skills to lead and manage community members and other volunteers in activities in which they have been trained during organized Park People and City events. You'll also be empowered to more effectively facilitate urban forestry activities in your own community. This workshop will be delivered by Metro Volunteers. After attending all mandatory sessions, Community Foresters may attend this workshop free of charge.

Workshop fees cover the cost of materials. Fees may be waived upon request for individuals for whom the fee represents a financial burden.


Street Tree Distribution - Save the Dates:

Hundreds of tree applications are in... Our Site Inspectors are out evaluating planting sites... Distribution Day is just around the corner!

I'll call for sign-ups later this month. So, keep your eyes on your inbox. In the meantime, mark your calendar with these important dates:

Tree Unloading - Wed, April 14 & Thurs, April 15
Distribution Day - Sat, April 17 7am-1pm
Extension Tree Sale - Sat, April 24 (time TBA)
Want to Plant Trees for Others?
Saturday, April 17
You can plant trees for individuals physically unable to plant their new street trees themselves. You can become a Digger. You'll adopt a set of addresses, pick up your assigned trees on Distribution Day, and deliver and plant at each home on your assignment. These tree recipients really appreciate your help! Please specify the number of trees you are willing to plant and what areas of the city you'd prefer. Also specify if you would like to lead or help in a small planting crew or if you would prefer to plant solo. Additionally, please note the workshop listing below. This position requires the use of personal vehicles - trucks are particularly helpful.


Diggers' Tree Planting Workshop
Saturday, March 27
10am-12pm
Washington Park Recreation Center
Learn proper tree planting methods and about the steps you'll go through as a Digger, helping others prepare for and make homes for their new street trees. Mandatory for all solo and crew leader Diggers who have not gone through our tree planting training. Recommended for all who have not been trained in 2 years and those unfamiliar with planting bare root and balled & burlapped trees. Veteran diggers welcome to join as well. RSVP to kim@theparkpeople.org or 303-722-6262 by March 25.

Central Corridor Extension Environmental Evaluation Adopted by the RTD Board of Directors!

On February 16, 2010, the RTD Board of Directors adopted the Environmental Evaluation (EE) for the Central Corridor Extension. The EE includes a Preferred Alternative recommendation for the Central Corridor Extension as well as identifies the environmental impacts and the avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures associated with the impacts.
The Preferred Alternative for the Central Corridor Extension includes in-traffic single light-rail vehicle transit between the existing 30th/Downing light rail station and the 38th/Blake station planned for the East Corridor commuter rail line between Denver Union Station (DUS) and the Denver International Airport (DIA). The Preferred Alternative includes roundtrip service between the 38th/Blake station and the downtown Denver light rail loop, using the existing tracks south of 30th/Downing and adds two new stops at 33rd Avenue/Downing and 35th Avenue/Downing.
The final EE also includes responses to comments received on the draft EE document. The document is now available on the Central Corridor Extension website, click on the link below to view the Central Corridor Extension EE.
Thanks to everyone who participated in the process!
Please visit our website: www.rtd-fastracks.com/cc_1

Cole Neighborhood Plan Meeting THU March 11 at EXDO

Have an opinion about what Cole's neighborhood plan should look like? Just want to be in the loop? Don't miss this meeting tomorrow night at EXDO.

The first public meeting for the Northeast Downtown Neighborhoods Plan will be held on Thursday, March 11th at the EXDO Event Center, 1399 35th St., from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The focus of this first meeting will be on identifying challenges, opportunities, and existing conditions within the study area. There is a map of the study area on the attached meeting flier. You can also learn more about the plan by visiting the project’s website at www.denvergov.org/northeastdowntown.