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I. INTRODUCTION In an effort to increase the number of new trees planted and cared for along the public right -of -way, the City of Eugene's Department of Public Works began in February 1992 to develop a tree - planting program based in part on the Neighborwoods Project initiated in the Chicago area in the 1980's. The Friends of Eugene's Urban Forest had carried out several neighborhood plant- ings between 1989 and 1991, so a small corps of dedicated volunteers already existed even before the new NeighborWoods program began. Funds were made available by the Eugene City Council in fall of 1991 for the purchase of streetside trees, but the municipal government did not have sufficient staff to carry out any large -scale plantings itself, so it turned instead to employing the energy and talents of citizen volunteers. By com- bining available City resources with those that could be provided by neigh- bors, an efficient system capable of planting and caring for new trees at a very low cost has been created. The philosophy of the NeighborWoods Program, as practiced in Eugene, is simple: Volunteer labor and reduced dependence on machines, combined with innovative planting and care techniques, provide young trees with what they require to thrive. The high quality and frequency of care that neighbors can provide for the new trees reduce the likelihood of expensive maintenance problems later in the trees' lives. While caring for and learning about their trees, neighbors also develop a better sense of purpose and community that, over time, provides a host of benefits for everyone. Anyone can get involved in a typical NeighborWoods project, whether it be talking with one's neighbors about the importance of trees, or wielding a shovel to help plant the trees, or making lunches to feed the hungry hordes on planting day! The neighbors themselves do most of the work, with assistance and supervision, as needed, by municipal staff. And by working together, neighbors and City staff and others acquire a better understanding of just what is involved in maintaining this valuable community resource called our urban forest. A typical NeighborWoods project is initiated by a neighborhood volunteer, the Project Leader, who canvasses the project area for available planting sites where adjacent property owners or tenants are willing to help plant and care for new trees. When planting season arrives, the City of Eugene then provides the new trees and some supplies, such as stakes and mulch. It is the neigh- bors themselves, though, who provide the majority of the time and energy that are required to plan and carry out successfully the planting and subsequent care of the new trees. II. PLANNING THE PROJECT LEADER Anyone who has the desire to improve a neighborhood's natural environment can become an effective Project Leader. No experience is necessary! The leader 1