On a warm Saturday morning, the City of Phoenix teamed up with local volunteers to plant 30 trees in the Carnation Neighborhood.
“It feels good to help the community and I know trees are really helpful in Phoenix." said volunteer Nina Calic. “It is easier as you go, but it does take a whole team."
Twenty-five volunteers, many from businesses and faith groups, were split into three groups so they could work on several plantings at once. They worked with Neighborhood Services and HeatReadyPHX for the digging, planting, watering, and filling.
“There's a lot more to it than I thought,“ said volunteer Long Do. “I was gonna get the shovel – I have that in hand right now – but there's a lot of prep work that goes into it."
Earlier in the week, trucks had dropped off 4 varieties of young trees – Acacia Mulga, Chinese Elm, Chinese Pistache, and Desert Willow. Forestry staff from Parks and Recreation demonstrated how to properly get the trees out of the planters and into the ground in a way that will encourage strong root growth. The volunteers caught on quickly.
“They're excited! They are getting more comfortable with what we're trying to do here. They're more comfortable with the techniques and how to do it," said planting coordinator Michelle Litwin, who works in the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation.
Spencer Self, director of the Neighborhood Services Department, was digging and sweating alongside the volunteers.
“This is so important because in the Neighborhood Services Department our mission is to preserve, enhance, and engage Phoenix neighborhoods, and that's what we're doing," he said. “We're out here working with the community, in the community, planting trees for the community."
Each branch of every tree will eventually provide more shade and cooler temperatures in the Central Phoenix neighborhood.
“It feels amazing," Do said. “I think I want to come back to these neighborhoods a little bit more. I feel like I'm invested in it now."
Funding for the project came from the Phoenix Industrial Development Authority (IDA). Volunteers will meet again on April 2 to plant 30 more trees in the same neighborhood.
