COMMITTEES
The former Education/Advocacy committee has morphed into the
Heritage Tree Program Committee. Committee members review nominations and select heritage trees.
We also plan and execute Heritage Tree Dedications each year.
Large dedications have included such highlights as Mayor Paul Schell walking with PlantAmnesty's Walking
Forest (tree costumes) into the woods of Seward Park to dedicate a four hundred year old Douglas fir tree.
We have also had Seattle City Council Members Jan Drago and Nick Licata climb high into trees being dedicated,
using ropes and arborists' saddles.
The rest of the committee's time is spent working out the policies of
the Heritage Tree Program, with two annual 'weighty matters' meetings and reviewing trees nominated for heritage
tree status.
Contact us if
you'd like to join us as a PlantAmnesty
volunteer or become a member!
The Plant Sale Committee puts on, you guessed it, the plant sale. What makes this sale
unique is the fact that ALL the plant material is donated by nurseries and growers throughout
Western Washington. Members often contribute unwanted plant material or divisions
from their favorite specimens. It's a 'win-win' situation because growers and nurseries
are able to offload plants they do not want to hang on to, and the public gets to support a worthy
nonprofit while buying plants at wholesale prices! As you can imagine, there is something for
everyone. The selection is vast, from trees to water plants, and the treasures lie in
the eye of the gardener.
The energy generated by this event could light up downtown Seattle on winter solstice! Our famous
Bizarre Yard Art Contest is where we generate many of the photos you see on PlantAmnesty's
website. This event requires months of advance preparation and hundreds of volunteer hours.
And it's really fun!
This committee meets once a month from May to October. Meetings are more frequent closer to the
sale. When we aren't obsessing about our plant sale we talk about our own gardens
and arrange garden tours for the membership to visit during the summer and fall months.
Contact us if
you'd like to join us as a PlantAmnesty
volunteer or become a member!
So many trees, so little time... The members of this
committee organize and execute educational seminars, fundraising
events and a donated Arbor Day Tree Prune.
Being an arborist is not a pre-requisite for participating in
this group; being passionate about trees is.
On the educational front we have had panel discussions with gardeners and designers to explain
tree biology and discuss what makes a hazard tree. There is discussion about why and
how trees need to be protected and respected in the garden and on the construction site.
Too often an arborist is called to look at a tree after the house has been built or the
landscape has been installed; usually the damage done could have been avoided.
Heightened awareness is critical in our urban environment before the heavy equipment
comes in, before the grade is changed, before the patio is installed.
Help us continue to get the word out.
Each Arbor Day, as part of PlantAmnesty's
Arbor Day Tree Prune, arborists
from PlantAmnesty's Referral Service volunteer
their day to deadwood specimen trees in one of our city's
parks, public gardens, arboretum and school yards.
Our parks are often overworked and understaffed and the trees
rarely get the attention they deserve. This is another
classic 'win-win' situation in that a community service is
performed and the arborists get the ability to work on gorgeous
big trees like the beautiful European Beeches at Volunteer Park,
or the Oaks at the Arboretum. Their work is rarely noticed
because they are so skilled; of course the trees themselves are
the work of art. Planning this event requires meeting several
times during the winter to determine a site. On the day of the
event we need volunteers to haul limbs, and support the arborists
as they work their magic.
Donated work days happen when an Arborist donates a day's worth of
work to PlantAmnesty. Sometimes the job is big enough that
several crews are called in to get the job done. Then it's
like a crow party! It is amazing to watch the skilled arborists
swing from limb to limb, bringing out the natural beauty of each
individual canopy.
If trees are important to you, or if you want to learn more
about trees in our urban jungle, contact us
about becoming a PlantAmnesty volunteer or
member.
THE EDUCATION/ADVOCACY COMMITTEE
We will be soon starting a new Education/Advocacy Committee to
fulfill the educational/consciousness raising mission of
PlantAmnesty. Areas of endeavor may include the Website,
the Media Crusade, Speakers Bureau, Nasty Letter Writer, new
educational materials (video, literature, translations,
models, booth and display, posters), neighborhood workshops,
billboards, PlantAmnesty entries into Seafair Parades,
and well, you name it.
Contact us if
you'd like to join us as a PlantAmnesty
volunteer or become a
member!
We need individuals who are good with numbers. Maybe you are
Type A and very picky about columns and order. If so, this might
just be the committee for you! PlantAmnesty's
finance committee meets on a quarterly basis with the Board
Treasurer. The Annual Report and the elements that go into
it are the primary focus of this committee. We look to the
Finance Committee for input on fundraising ideas and guidance on
business decisions. Being a gardener is not a prerequisite
for this committee - we have plenty of those already.
Contact us if
you'd like to join us as a
PlantAmnesty
volunteer or become a
member!
Coming soon!
Contact us if
you'd like to join us as a PlantAmnesty
volunteer or become a
member!