Fieldwork Volunteers

Our tree planting and care work is simply not possible without volunteers like you! Our fieldwork helps to achieve Canopy’s mission of reducing the green gap and increasing tree canopy cover in our shared urban spaces.

Check out our volunteer roles below and sign-up for fieldwork events on our calendar using the volunteer sign-up form.

Event Calendar Volunteer Sign-up

Plant Trees

Tree planting volunteers learn and perform all the steps involved in successfully planting a tree – this includes digging the hole, working the root ball, staking, strapping, mulching, and watering the tree. Get ready to dig in and get your hands dirty!

To volunteer: Sign-up for an event!

Care for Trees

Tree care volunteers play a crucial role in the post-planting care of newly planted trees so that they can successfully establish and thrive. As a tree care volunteer, you will perform general tree health assessments and arboricultural fieldwork such as mulching, root check-ups, adjusting stakes and straps, ensuring proper watering, and pruning young trees that Canopy has recently planted.

To volunteer: Sign-up for an event!

Become a Pruning Leader

Pruning Leaders help ensure Canopy-planted trees receive proper structural pruning so they grow strong, healthy, and suited to the urban environment. In this volunteer leadership role, you will partner with Canopy’s Community Foresters to train and educate participants on proper tree care and pruning techniques at community events. All skill levels are welcome and relevant training and apprenticeship opportunities will be provided.

CEUs may be available for ISA-Certified Arborists who participate in volunteer events as a Pruning Leader. Please reach out to [email protected] if you are interested in receiving CEUs.

To volunteer: Check our calendar for upcoming Pruning Leader trainings or email [email protected] with a brief introduction.

Become a Planting Leader

Planting Leaders lead small planting groups at community events and educate volunteers on proper planting techniques so the trees successfully establish and thrive in their new urban environment. In this volunteer leadership role, you will partner with Canopy’s Community Foresters to contribute to a successful community tree planting event. All skill levels are welcome and relevant training and apprenticeship opportunities will be provided.

CEUs may be available for ISA-Certified Arborists who participate in volunteer events as a Planting Leader. Please reach out to [email protected] if you are interested in receiving CEUs.

To volunteer: Check our calendar for upcoming Pruning Leader trainings or email [email protected] with a brief introduction.

Survey Trees

Every summer, survey volunteers participate in our annual participatory science project the Young Tree Care Survey. Volunteers are assigned neighborhood routes in Palo Alto to assess if young trees are getting enough water, need mulch or weeding at the base, have structural damage, and need pruning or stakes. The information collected will inform future tree care and maintenance.

To volunteer: Check for summer (June-August) YTCS events on our calendar or email [email protected] to ask about current survey opportunities.

Interested in doing fieldwork with your corporate team or group? Check out our Corporate Team Building and Group Volunteering opportunities!