People for Trees volunteers are working to increase the local tree canopy

In Appreciation of Volunteer Trees

People for Trees volunteers are working to significantly increase Northeast Ohio’s tree canopy.

By Tracee Patterson, Associate Director of Volunteer and Employee Engagement

Often, the idea of “volunteer trees” isn’t an especially welcome one to supporters of Holden Forests & Gardens. Case in point: the invasive and ironically named “Tree of Heaven” is… well…anything but.

However, one HF&G volunteer has given new meaning to the term. Last year, Christine Lakus was selected as the recipient of the 2021 ServeOhio Award for Northeast Ohio from the State of Ohio’s Commission on Service & Volunteerism. ServeOhio supports more than 3 million Ohio volunteers each year, and every April, ServeOhio recognizes 10 of them as outstanding contributors to their communities. Chris received an engraved award, a signed commendation from the governor of Ohio and a $1,000 donation, which she is using to advance an initiative called VP4T. We asked her to tell us more about her idea.

What is VP4T?

VP4T stands for Volunteer People for Trees and it’s exactly that — a volunteer effort to support HF&G’s People for Trees. One of the goals of People for Trees is to increase the tree canopy in Northeast Ohio by planting and caring for 15,000 new trees by 2025, and I think volunteers can be an important part of that work. We have three goals for VP4T that we want to reach by 2025:

• 1,500 volunteer tree pledges • 1,500 volunteer hours in special VP4T volunteer activities • $15,000 in volunteer contributions

And we would like to see every volunteer participate in VP4T in some way — 100 percent participation.

Wow, those are ambitious goals! Any concerns?

Well, “go big or go home,” as they say! It’s going to take ambition and action to repair the devastation to our tree canopy. We’ve tried to come up with lots of different ways for volunteers to participate so everyone can do their part. They can pledge to plant a tree or have friends and family pledge on their behalf. They can participate in special VP4T volunteer opportunities in horticulture, research, conservation, guest experience and more. And, of course, they can provide financial support by donating. We’re also providing training and resources, as well as some special award items for volunteers.

What has the response been to VP4T?

It’s actually been even better than I’d imagined it would be. The initial reaction from volunteers when we first presented the idea last January was really supportive. I couldn’t be more grateful for the amazing people I get to volunteer with here. And, although we haven’t implemented every aspect of VP4T yet, we’re planting lots of trees, pulling lots of invasives (which inhibit the growth of young trees), and our volunteer P4T ambassadors are having great conversations with guests. It’s going really well.

Aside from the specific goals you shared earlier, is there anything else you think might come out of this?

VP4T gives volunteers a chance to work on a cause we all care passionately about, and to get involved in meaningful opportunities that promote and support the values of People for Trees. United as fellow volunteers in support of P4T, we are dynamic! I know that when we come together, we can do great things and make a difference. VP4T is a way to do that.

If you’d be interested in getting involved in volunteer support of People for Trees, reach out to Volunteer Resources at volunteer@holdenfg.org. We’d be more than happy to add you to our volunteer tree.

MEET THE STAFF

Tracee Patterson is the Associate Director of Volunteer & Employee Engagement. Her prior work in volunteerism involved administrative and teaching positions at John Carroll University and Kent State University, where she coordinated and implemented service-learning programming and classes for students. Tracee was the 2020 recipient of the Volunteer Administrator of the Year Award by the Forum for Volunteer Administrators.