Cultivating Vibrant Public Greenspaces

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    Volunteers at the Hotchkiss Green in Richmond's Northside

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    Coneflowers in bloom along the Low Line Gardens

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    The Low Line Gardens along the Virginia Capital Trail

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    Summer blooms in the Low Line Gardens

Capital Trees is working to create a greener, more liveable Richmond through the thoughtful planning, planting, and maintenance of public green places.

Our projects:

  • Sustaining Our Greenspaces
  • Hotchkiss Green (2022-2025)
  • Canoe Run Park (2023 – ongoing)
  • Neighborhood Parks Consultation (James Christian Park), Libby Hill Park (RTD article on collaboration)
  • Henrico County Reforestation Pilot Project (2023- ongoing)
  • The Low Line (2015 – 2020)
  • Great Shiplock Park (2012-2013, 2022)
  • The 14th Street Initiative (2010-2011)

Want to partner on future projects?  Start the conversation HERE.

Capital Trees Impact Reports

  • 2024-2025
  • 2023-2024

Take a quick self guided tour at Great Shiplock and the Low Line

Become an annual Corporate Sponsor

 

WHAT'S NEW

What a Field Trip to Glenstone Taught Us About Cultivating Meadows

Written by Executive Director, Shelly Barrick Parsons

On Thursday, September 25, 2026, three of us from Capital Trees (Executive Director Shelly Barrick Parsons, Co-Chair Board of Trustees Beth Gullette, and Horticulture Manager Mary Petres) joined a delegation of Richmond partners for a field trip to Glenstone in Potomac, Maryland.

Glenstone is a place where art, architecture, and landscape come together. Its acres of cultivated and natural landscapes hold buildings with art installations as well as art integrated right into the land.

… Read more »

More news

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A couple of weeks ago, @timmonsgroup volunteered w A couple of weeks ago, @timmonsgroup volunteered with us for two days at the Hotchkiss Green. They’re not new to Hotchkiss, in fact, Timmons partnered with us to design the project, from concept to plans, so we loved having them back on site. They helped with necessary tree maintenance for the newly planted trees, expanding mulch rings, weeding, and adding fresh mulch. In addition, Mary, our Horticulture Manager took them on a tour of the space now that it’s getting established to walk through what’s working well and what challenges we’re navigating — every project space is unique and provides us and our partners with learning opportunities. We’re grateful for partners that are invested in our greenspaces long after the initial work is complete. 💚🌳🤝
In late September, a few of us from Capital Trees In late September, a few of us from Capital Trees joined a delegation of Richmond partners for a field trip to Glenstone in Potomac, Maryland. Our Executive Director wrote a blog post on Glenstone, what the visit taught us about management, and how it applies to our work here in Richmond. Give it a read from the link in our bio. 👆 @glenstonemuseum @marvelarchitects @rvaparksandrec @jamesriverpark @sciencemuseumofvirginia @vmfamuseum
It's the last week to boost your gift to Capital T It's the last week to boost your gift to Capital Trees by 10% when you make your donation through Birdies for Charity presented by TowneBank. This year, you can donate directly to us via check — simply write BIRDIES in the memo line and mail to us before October 11th or give online from the link in our bio. 👆 If you choose to give via stock transfer, please designate Birdies for Charity in the broker notes. @townebanksocial
Thanks to everyone who stopped by to chat with us Thanks to everyone who stopped by to chat with us at the Active Adults Open House at the Hotchkiss Field Community Center. It was a great opportunity to connect with community members and neighbors of the center. Reminder that the Hotchkiss Green (located behind the center) is open to the public and has benches and a walking trail 👟
Anne Poarch, our Director of Advancement, attended Anne Poarch, our Director of Advancement, attended the the Virginia Fund Raising Institute this summer. Read our latest blog post for the insights she gained and how they connect back to our work as we build a community of people who care about and want to participate in creating a greener, healthier, more beautiful Richmond. Link in our bio. 👆 @thevfri
You’re invited! Free tickets are now available for You’re invited! Free tickets are now available for our upcoming speaker series, head to the link in our bio to get yours.👆 Dr. Glynn Percival, Senior Arboricultural Researcher for Bartlett Tree Laboratories, is coming to Richmond to give a talk on modern soil amendments for tree health. He’ll be focusing on improving soil health, supporting root development, and increasing tree resilience to drought, heat, pests, and disease. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of how soil amendments can make a meaningful difference in the longevity of our trees. When: Wednesday, November 4th, 5:30 pm Where: @studiotwothree How: Thank you to our presenting sponsor @bartlett_rva for making this event possible. @lifeatbartlett
Last month, a group of volunteers from Anointed Ne Last month, a group of volunteers from Anointed New Life Baptist Church joined us at the Hotchkiss Green to get their hands in the dirt. Together, they helped remove weeds that were encroaching on the strawberry bed. Sustainably managing our public greenspaces would not be possible without volunteers coming together to invest their time — thank you! @anointednewlife @anlbchenrico
Part of our approach to the ongoing management of Part of our approach to the ongoing management of our public greenspaces is to choose sustainable methods whenever possible. Currently, that's employing a technique known as solarization to help control weeds at the Hotchkiss Green. Give our latest blog a read to learn more about the process, including a few tips if you want to give it a try in your own space. Head to the link in our bio. 👆
It's the first day of fall and there are still ple It's the first day of fall and there are still plenty of late season blooms to enjoy in our greenspaces. Take advantage of the cooler morning and evening temperatures to take a walk, sit with a book, or admire pollinators flitting between blooms. The blooms you'll find in our greenspaces this time of year are not just beautiful, they also provide vital pollen and nectar for our pollinators as it becomes more scarce this time of year. Scroll through for a virtual look at everything blooming at the Hotchkiss Green, but we hope you'll come take a walk and get some fresh air soon. 📍701 E Brookland Park Blvd, Richmond, VA 23222
Maximize your impact to Capital Trees this fall by Maximize your impact to Capital Trees this fall by making your donation through Birdies for Charity presented by TowneBank. When you do, our nonprofit receives an additional 10%. This year, you can donate directly to us via check — simply write BIRDIES in the memo line and mail to us before October 11th or give online from the link in our bio. 👉If you choose to give via stock transfer, please designate Birdies for Charity in the broker notes. @townebanksocial
When we created the Hotchkiss Green, we added more When we created the Hotchkiss Green, we added more than 100 trees, 1300 pollinator-friendly plugs, and several fruit-bearing trees to an area that was previously compacted turf. Every time we visit, we find more signs of biodiversity and proof that the space is becoming a haven for pollinators and wildlife. Located at the Hotchkiss Field Community Center, the space has a walking trail and is open to the public.
Last year, we worked with the talented team at @si Last year, we worked with the talented team at @sidestudio.work to refresh our brand ahead of our 15th anniversary. They recently sat down with our Director of Advancement, Anne Poarch, to discuss how the new brand has helped us tell our story, the launch of our new Corporate Partnership program, and what’s next for our organization. Give it a read from the link in our bio. 👆
You’re invited! Free tickets are now available for You’re invited! Free tickets are now available for our upcoming speaker series, head to the link in our bio to get yours.👆 Dr. Glynn Percival, Senior Arboricultural Researcher for Bartlett Tree Laboratories, is coming to Richmond to give a talk on modern soil amendments for tree health. He’ll be focusing on improving soil health, supporting root development, and increasing tree resilience to drought, heat, pests, and disease. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of how soil amendments can make a meaningful difference in the longevity of our trees. When: Wednesday, November 4th, 5:30 pm Where: @studiotwothree How: Thank you to our presenting sponsor @bartlett_rva for making this event possible. @lifeatbartlett
We want to send a big thank you to the two donors We want to send a big thank you to the two donors whose generous gifts are helping Capital Trees get a dedicated work van! Our staff carries tools, plants, gloves, and equipment to every volunteer workday, and a work van will make it easier for us to get on site to meet up with our volunteers. This is just one example of what giving to Capital Trees makes possible. Every gift helps us turn resources into action and put more hands in the dirt caring for Richmond’s greenspaces. And right now, your gift can go even further through Birdies for Charity presented by TowneBank. To boost your gift by 10% simply write BIRDIES in the memo line of a check and send it to us by October 11, or give online through our Birdies for Charity page, linked in our bio. 👆 Stock gifts can also qualify — just designate Birdies for Charity in your broker notes. Your generosity helps us do more. And right now, it can do 10% more. @townebanksocial
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200 South Third Street
Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23219

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