Elk Grove Native Tree Planting

Join us to plant 200 native seedlings along the Franklin Creek Trail. Not only will these trees provide critical wildlife habitat, they will also shade the trail, clean the air, and make the space more beautiful for all to enjoy.

We will be meeting on the Franklin Creek Trail near the intersection of Whitelock Parkway and Franklin High Road.

We provide all the necessary tools and supplies to care for trees. Participants will receive a short, hands-on training on site. After learning the tools and techniques, participants will split up into groups and begin planting trees throughout the site.

Register now! The week before this event, we will send a logistics and directions email with detailed information about how to get to the site. You will receive this email ONLY if you are signed-up for this planting.

Anyone, but those who live or work nearby are especially encouraged to attend! This event is open to the general public, you do not need any prior experience to join us and on-site training will be provided. Families with children are welcome.

Register in advance: Space is limited. If your plans change prior to the event, please update your registration status so we are sure to have the necessary number of volunteers.

Youth volunteers: Volunteers under 18 years of age must have their parent or legal guardian sign their consent form during registration. Volunteers under 16 years of age must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. One adult chaperone is required for every 6 youth under 16, or for every 2 youth under 10.

Waiver: All volunteers must pre-register and sign a completed volunteer waiver form during registration and BEFORE participating in the event.

COVID safety: Although we encourage attendees to be fully vaccinated, all attendees can choose to wear facial coverings at their own discretion. Anyone who has tested positive for COVID should not attend, unless more than 5 days have passed and they are asymptomatic and have tested negative on day 6 or later - please provide advance notice of cancellation when possible.

Clothes and shoes: Closed toed shoes are required. Long sleeves/pants and rain gear recommended. Dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather, and plan to get a little dirty.

Arrival: Arrive on time. Check-in begins at 8:45 AM and volunteers must be present for the tool safety demonstration at the start of the event.

Food and drink: Bring a refillable water bottle; light snacks and water will be available on site if needed.

Skills: No specific skills or tools required. Each event starts with a tool safety and planting demonstration. Volunteers work alongside experienced Volunteer Captains and staff.

At all of our events, we prioritize including people who live or work in the community where the event takes place. Not all events can accommodate groups from outside the immediate project area. If you represent a group of 5+ people, please email [email protected] to discuss potential volunteer opportunities.

Public Transportation: Sacramento RT bus route E111 stops at the intersection of Whitelock Parkway and Franklin High Road.

Parking: Parking is available at the Franklin Community Library and Franklin High School parking lot, across the street from the planting location.

At the Sacramento Tree Foundation, we steward our urban forest from seed to slab. The annual acorn harvest celebrates the beginnings of the lifecycle of our native oaks. Acorns are harvested by volunteers, carefully sorted by interns, grown into seedlings by schoolchildren, planted at reforestation sites by volunteers, and stewarded by our staff. When trees reach the end of their lifespans, we salvage and sell their wood to further support education and programming around the lifecycle of the urban forest.

With your help at reforestation plantings like this one, we plant 1,500 native trees in open spaces every year that provide a respite from city life and habitat for wildlife. Native trees are essential to our local ecology, and they're beautiful too!

Support for this event is provided by the City of Elk Grove.

If you have questions about this initiative or would like to get more deeply involved, please contact Loren O'Rourke, Restoration Program Manager, at [email protected] or (916) 204-3673.

Donate to SacTree to support our work growing thriving communities through stewardship of our urban forest! SacTree relies on the support of friends, neighbors, and volunteers like you to make our work possible.

Reach out to [email protected] with any questions about registering for this event or volunteering with SacTree.

Host or Publisher Sacramento Tree Foundation