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NEIGHBORWOODS: A PARTNERSHIP <br /> In 1992, the City of Eugene Public Works Department developed a program called <br /> "NeighborWoods" to increase the number of new trees planted and cared for in the public <br /> rights -of -way. NeighborWoods is a partnership that brings together neighbors, businesses, <br /> and local government to plant and maintain street trees that enhance the environment and the <br /> unique identity of each neighborhood. <br /> The basic premise of the program is that each neighborhood has a unique identity and that the <br /> residents of those neighborhoods have the best idea of what that identity is and of how they <br /> want their neighborhood to look. Street trees are a critical part of this identity. <br /> Volunteer Help <br /> Volunteers are the crucial ingredient to the program's success. Volunteers provide the care <br /> and nurturing needed by the young trees to survive the first critical years. This care helps <br /> ensure the trees are healthier when they mature. This, in turn reduces the likelihood of <br /> expensive, long -term maintenance problems. <br /> During the 1993 -94 tree planting season, approximately 173 volunteers planted more than 340 <br /> trees in Eugene neighborhoods and at area schools, including Danebo School, Patterson <br /> lementary, and Churchill High School. <br /> Recruitment and Training <br /> The program has several phases: Recruiting and training volunteer leaders; selecting and <br /> planting trees in street rights -of -way; and providing minor maintenance during the first year <br /> to ensure the trees survive. The City trains each volunteer leader and provides written <br /> materials about how to organize his /her neighborhood, how to select appropriate planting <br /> sites, and how to plant and care for the new trees. Once trained, the volunteer leader selects <br /> and trains other volunteers and oversees their work. At the time of planting, the City <br /> supplies the trees and the hand tools, tree stakes, and mulch. <br /> If a coordinator wants to continue in the program, the City provides additional training in <br /> long -term tree maintenance. The training includes how to identify and care for tree <br /> problems, how to prune for good form and health, and how to undertake a neighborhood tree <br /> inventory. <br /> For More Information <br /> For more information about the program, contact Jan Staszewski, City of Eugene urban <br /> forester, at-684-53 <br /> 359._ <br />