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NEW "NEIGHBORWOODS" PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE 500 NEW STREET TREES The City of Eugene Public Works Department has developed a new program called " Neighborwoods." The program is modeled after tree projects in other cities across the country. The basic premise of the program is that each neighborhood has a unique identity, and that the residents of those neighborhoods have the best idea of what that identity is and of how they want their neighborhood to look. Street trees are a critical part of this identity. "Neighborwoods" is a partnership between neighbors, businesses, and local government to plant and maintain street trees that enhance the environment and the unique identity of each neighborhood. As part of this new program, in the next five months the City of Eugene Public Works Department will offer area citizens 500 trees to plant in the rights -of way along neighborhood streets. The program has two initial phases: planting the trees, then providing minor maintenance to the new trees to ensure their survival. Other phases will be added based on the success of this first program. Other communities have found that neighborhood volunteers are the critical ingredient to the program's success. So, to start our program, the City is looking for volunteers who are willing to work in their neighborhoods to plant and care for trees. Each planting project will need a coordinator and a number of neighborhood volunteers. The coordinator will oversee and coordinate the efforts of the volunteers and will work closely with the City. The coordinators also will meet with their neighbors to identify who wants trees and to find volunteers to help plant and maintain them. To help the volunteers, the City will train each coordinator and provide written materials about organizing their neighborhood, selecting appropriate planting sites, and planting and caring for the new trees. After the training, the coordinators will return to their neighborhoods to pass the training on to other volunteers. Working with the City's urban forester and their coordinator, residents will select trees that are appropriate for their neighborhood. In addition to the trees, the City will provide the volunteers with hand tools, tree stakes, and mulch. If a coordinator wants to continue in the program, the City will train the coordinator in tree maintenance. This would include how to identify and care for tree problems, how to prune for good form and health, and how to undertake a neighborhood tree inventory. If you are interested in the program or have questions, please call City of Eugene Urban Forester Jan Staszewski, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at 687 -5359.