Preserving Seattle’s tree canopy is a goal of the city’s (Mayor Mike McGinn spoke about it here) that can sometimes be controversial.

The city is actively looking for tree ambassadors. According to Jana of the city’s Office of Sustainability:

Seattle’s urban forest needs your help! Seattle has a goal to reach 30% canopy cover by 2037, growing from our current 23%. To meet that goal, we need to plant and care for 200,000 net new trees in residential areas; residential areas make up 67% of Seattle. To help meet this goal, we are recruiting Tree Ambassadors who can serve as local neighborhood advocates for our urban trees.

You will work in teams of 2-3 people to develop projects for your neighborhood which could include tree walks, invasive species removal workdays, and/or tree plantings. No previous tree experience necessary, only a desire to learn and a passion for urban greenery. You may apply individually or as a group.

Tree ambassadors are volunteers who, after being trained, work 5-10 hours a month, according to the city.

There’s an individual application here, and a team application here. You can also find them on the city’s Tree Portal page.

via MyBallard

The fall season is here, which means rain is right around the corner.  The combination of wet weather and fallen leaves is the perfect recipe for flooding so Seattle Public Utilities is looking for volunteers to join their Fall Clean.  As part of their Adopt-a-Drain program, SPU will lend you all the cleaning supplies you need to help keep your neighborhood drains clear of debris.  That includes rakes, bags, gloves, shovels, brooms and dustpans.   

You can pick them up during the following times and places:

• October 24 and 31 from 9am to 12pm at Seattle Public Utilities’ warehouse (3633 E. Marginal Way South)
• October 28-29 from 10am to 1pm at Seattle Municipal Tower in downtown Seattle (on 6th Ave between Columbia St and Cherry St)

To reserve your supplies, call 206-233-7187 or email adoptadrain@seattle.gov.

Tis the season to pick the fruits of your labor and if you’ve got more fruit than you know what to do with, why not donate it? Solid Ground’s Fruit Tree Harvest is underway and they’re looking for fruit tree owners who have more fruit than they need, as well as volunteers to pick fruit and deliver it to Seattle food banks, meal programs, and community organizations. To volunteer or donate fruit contact Sadie at 206-694-6751 or sadieb@solid-ground.org

The 38th annual Fremont Fair is upon us, June 20th and 21st, and any Fremont residents who have lived through one of these weekends knows what a great party this is, and how many people crowd into Fremont to celebrate our quirky neighborhood and the Summer Solstice.  But, did you also know that the Fremont Fair is the largest fundraiser of the year for Solid Ground?

From the Fremont Fair’s website:

And while Fremont Fair continues to emphasize good times, don’t forget about the good work it does by raising awareness and understanding of the needs of low-income people in our community.  Produced by The Workshop, benefiting the programs of Solid Ground, all donations received during this FREE event go directly to fund their programs that provide shelter, food, advocacy and care for low-income families and individuals throughout Seattle and King County.

The Fremont Fair is driven by volunteers like you, who want to have fun and make a diffenerence in your local community.  Kelly Ward, the volunteer coordinator over at Solid Ground, sends along this note:

We still need lots of volunteers to be greeters at the fair entrances.  Every year we raise around $36,000 at the fair and this is largely because we have smiling, happy volunteers at each gate to say hello and thank people for coming.  Shifts range from 2.5 - 4 hours on June 20th and 21st.  You can read more about volunteering at the fair and sign up for a shift at: http://www.fremontfair.org/volunteer

So head on over and become a part of making this year’s Fremont Fair happen!  You’ll have a great time, and help address the issues of food and shelter for our neighbors who need you.

The Fremont Abbey Arts Center is looking for volunteers tomorrow (Saturday) to help with projects around the building. Tools, snacks and coffee will be provided from 12-3 p.m., and projects include painting and patching, landscaping, cleaning, light carpentry, installing a sink and other tasks.

If you go, the Abbey is located at 4272 Fremont Ave. The tip we received directed potential volunteers to enter on 43rd, and ask for Nathan Marion, the director of the Arts Center. Visit the Fremont Abbey Arts Center website or call 206-297-6221 for more information.