Training accomplished, final exams passed, the twenty-eight members of TreeStewards Class of 2012 celebrated their graduation with former graduates and current volunteers. TreeStewards President, Nora Palmatier, congratulated the graduates and asked each to talk about planned volunteer work. Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent Kirsten Buhls reminded the graduates that their role is now to spread tree care information throughout their communities. Upon receiving their certificates, all described their next volunteer project: coordinating neighborhood Tree Canopy Fund, working at information tables at Farmers Markets, assisting at upcoming Parkfairfax native plant sale, serving on tree commissions and designing sculptures of good tree care for presentations. Another crop of inspiring and dedicated volunteers joins the cause!
A young TreeSteward in Training models the new t-shirts that proclaim: We Stand Up for Trees. Photos by Brigitte Coulter