Become An Indiana Tree Steward

(EVANSVILLE) – The next Tree Stewards training will be hosted by the Wesselman Nature Society in Evansville, April 8-9. Registration for the class can be completed online through the Wesselman Nature Society.


The training features a classroom portion to learn about urban forestry topics like soils, tree physiology, defects & diseases, selection & maintenance, benefits & volunteer opportunities, as well as an outdoor portion where participants will get hands-on experience with tree identification, planting, and pruning.
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The Tree Steward program focuses on a broad range of topics related to the urban forestry discipline. Courses are generally held every three months in all regions of the state.
The course was developed in 1995 by Pam Louks, DNR Forestry, with assistance from Dick Crum and Jim Barbour, Marion Co. Extension. It was developed in order to actively engage Hoosiers in various aspects of urban forestry and to begin to generate a base of urban forestry advocates. Indiana has over 1,000 tree stewards throughout the state.
Participants who complete the course are asked to donate 15 hours of volunteer service to their community or state urban forestry programs. These hours can include tree planting, maintenance, and care, advocacy for the urban forest, presentations on tree planting, care, or engaging and involving citizens in urban forestry.
The course is approximately 18 hours in length, includes lecture and hands-on learning opportunities both indoors and out of doors, and includes a test at the end.
Participants receive the Indiana Community Tree Steward Manual filled with information from each topic in the course. Those who complete the course take the required exam, and complete their 15 hours of service, will receive a certificate signed by the State Forester, a lapel pin, and a copy of 101 Trees of Indiana.

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