Youth Community Garden

Community! Youth Concepts is looking to engage youth in community gardening this summer. With two plots in the Franklin Community Garden, CYC is inviting all young people interested in learning more about gardening and giving back to our community to join them.

There will be opportunities for youth to plan and plant the garden. There will also be opportunities to keep it looking beautiful! The most important piece of this summer project, however, is how the produce will be used. Everything that grows will be donated to Des Moines Area Religious Council’s food pantry, Move the Food (DMARC).

Not only is this an opportunity to be outside and learn this summer, this is an opportunity to learn more about how to give back.

Families and community members are also invited to join CYC in this effort! If you have any questions or are interested in giving your time, please get in touch with Michelle Raymer at (515) 242-4292 or Michelle@cyconcepts.org.

Beaverdale Tree Committee

Seeking Adoptive Homes for Trees

The Beaverdale Tree Committee, with the City of Des Moines Forestry Department, wants to make sure we maintain a healthy and beautiful neighborhood for years to
come. Beaverdale already boasts many large, mature trees, and we must ensure that leg- acy continues by planting younger trees to provide age and species diversity for our current neighborhood canopy. Further, pests and disease like the Emerald Ash Borer and Dutch Elm Disease show the importance of proactively maintaining diversity in our neighborhood. Let’s start adding to our urban forest today!

If you request that a city tree(s) be planted at the curb in front of your property, and commit to regular watering during the establishment period, the City of Des Moines will plant an ap- propriate species absolutely free of charge. Together we can make a huge difference in our community. Call our Public Works 24-hour Customer Service Center at 283-4950 to re- quest your spring street tree planting. Since not every site can accommodate a mature tree, the Beaverdale Tree Committee members will help the City perform site assess- ments prior to plantings, to ensure that your location will be a suitable home for the tree.

While the City of Des Moines will plant the tree for free, the Beaverdale Tree Committee would gladly accept a donation of $25 or more. This is strictly voluntary and will not affect your elibility to receive a free tree. Your welcomed donation would help fund future tree planting projects and tree care activities in Beaverdale! Please send donations to: Beaverdale Neighborhood Association, PO Box 30175, Des Moines, IA 50310. Simply write “Tree Committee” on the memo line of your check. Thanks for your help!

Des Moines TreeKeepers

The Beaverdale Tree Committee invites you to find out more about the new Des Moines TreeKeepers program. The City of Des Moines and Trees Forever TreeKeepers program is designed for people who want to become more knowledgeable about urban tree planting and care, and who wish to become a stronger voice for trees in their neighborhoods and communities.

In a series of classroom and hands-on training sessions, participants will learn about:

•   Tree Identification & Physiology

•   Proper Planting & Maintenance

•   Benefits of Trees

•   Urban & Community Tree Issues

•   Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement
  Each class will also have a volunteer service component.

  Des Moines TreeKeepers Details & Sign-up

  When: Tuesday, March 20, 27 and April 3
  Time: 6:00-9:00pm, light dinner provided!
  Where: Argonne Armory Building, 602 Robert Ray Dr., Des Moines, IA
  Who: Co-sponsored by the City of Des Moines and Trees Forever
  Cost: $30 – includes registration, dinner, training handbook, Trees Forever membership, and t-shirt
  Register: Contact Leslie Berckes at 515-681-2295 , or e-mail Leslie
  at LBerckes@treesforever.org or for more information, visit www.treesforever.org.