Sacramento is no stranger to scorching summers, with temperatures regularly exceeding 100 degrees. Urban areas, face increased demand for water during these times to help keep their landscapes and trees healthy and green. Local organizations such as The Sacramento Tree Foundation are educating communities on how to reduce and maximize their use of water year-round, especially during the summer months to help and maintain their plants and trees.
Kimmy Lahr, Folsom & River District Organizer for the Sacramento Tree Foundation, explains how the partnership came about and the work that's been accomplished thus far.
"We are excited to share that the Sacramento Tree Foundation (SacTree) has partnered up with the Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps (SRCC) to provide some much needed tree care for trees in the River District area!
This partnership is made possible through the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grant and the Sacramento Integrated Place- Based Living (SIMPL) project. TCC projects fund development and infrastructure projects that achieve major environmental, health, and economic benefits in California’s most disadvantaged communities. SacTree is responsible for the Urban Greening and Forestry aspect for the Sacramento grant and is working with residents, businesses, and new development projects to plant 870 trees throughout the River District area.
SRCC crew members are helping water newly planted trees throughout the dry summer months to keep them healthy and thriving. Especially in Sacramento’s hot and dry summers, both young and mature trees need slow and deep watering to encourage them to develop deep roots and ensure that they are getting the water they need. The amounts of water your trees need will depend on the tree species, soil conditions, and the weather. Don't rely on lawn sprinklers — they do not soak the soil deeply enough to encourage a healthy, deep root system for your tree! There are easy and cost- effective ways to make sure your trees are receiving the deep watering they need - you can find more tips and tricks on how to water your trees properly by visiting: www.sactree.org/water
SRCC crew members will also assist SacTree in monitoring and collecting data on recently planted trees to ensure they are growing well and will help us catch any issues early on. Providing tree care for your trees all year round will help them thrive for generations to come! More tips on how to keep your trees healthy, beautiful, and thriving can be found by visiting: www.sactree.org/treecare
We are excited for this new partnership and working with the dedicated SRCC corps members to care for our beautiful urban forest!"