Plant a Tree in Santa Cruz, Save the Planet

 “You can see that, even though the oak trees we planted last year aren’t big enough yet to provide shade, people are sitting by them,” says volunteer Amy Howk. She points down the knoll to where base ball fans at Harvey West Park have placed their chairs, in between a row of saplings. “It a value for the community.”

 Saturday, the Sana Cruz Tree Trust and the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department invite the public to join them at Derby Park to plant trees in honor of National Arbor Day. The Santa Cruz Tree Trust answers the question: How can I act globally by acting locally and improve the native ecosystem at the same time?

 “The take-aways that you get from planting trees are you’ve helped to capture carbons, you’ve added to the beauty of a public place, and you find something in your heart. The Park is named for my grandfather so I know that my mom and I will be taking away something different,” says Howk.

 “Charles Derby, who died before I was before I was born, was a juvenile officer for the SCPD. People still come up to me and say ‘Your grandfather picked me up when I was young and doing something I wasn’t supposed to. Instead of taking me to the police station, he took me home and talked to me and put me on the straight and narrow’.”

 Volunteer Greg Cotten, an environmental scientist who lives at the yacht harbor, says, “The US Geological Survey, the gold standard on what’s happening geologically with the physical planet, like earth quakes, calculated that humans produce 25 billion tons of carbon annually. They said it was like adding 8000 medium volcanoes to the planet. Kilauea in Hawaii is an example of a medium volcano.  That’s why we plant trees.”

 Why does the county of Santa Cruz always get an “A” from the American Lung Association for air quality, while the cities over the hill don’t?

 “The ocean, which doesn’t pollute, is next to us on the west which is where our prevailing winds come from,” says Cotten. “Low population, lots of trees, no valley that traps it, and we are more environmentally conscious here.” Howk and Cotten work for the same environmental consulting firm in Santa Cruz.

According to the SCTT, “We provide opportunities for people to plant and nurture groves of trees around the Santa Cruz area. By planting natives and/or volunteering to help water and maintain them, we transform landscapes, capture carbon, restore lost habitat, bring the community together, and have fun!” 

Although the team usually plants native trees, City Forester Leslie Keedy who chooses the trees to be planted, says “This year we’re doing an experiment. Since Derby Park has a maritime influence, native trees won’t work, so we’re planting crepe myrtle and cork oak. Kids will like that because that’s where bottle corks come from. The trees will work to buffer the sound and sight of the industrial buildings.”

 Fifteen gallon and 24-inch box size trees will be on site and ready for planting. For more information on this tree planting project and others: email contact@santacruztreetrust.org or call Keedy at 831-420-5246.  Visit the website at http://30x20.org/santa-cruz-tree-trust.

Location: Derby Park, 255 Swift Street on the Westside of Santa Cruz. Parking is available at Pacific Collegiate School
Date and Time: April 30, 2011 10am-1pm
Bring: closed toed shoes, layered clothing, drinking water, work gloves, sunscreen, hat
* Planting tools are provided
* All ages are welcome
* "Tree Nursery" activities for children
* Volunteer service hours for students