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End of Fiscal Year Update
Capital Trees wrapped up its fiscal year in June with our annual meeting and celebration. Here are a few highlights we shared at the meeting:
- A 20% increase in volunteer engagement
- 90 trees planted in the Richmond region
- Sustainable management of 14th street, Great Shiplock Park, the Low Line, and the Low Line Green
- 90% construction funds raised for Hotchkiss Green project
- Community engagement at Hotchkiss including a tree giveaway and splash day
- Over $750,000 in cash and pledges raised
- Exceeded our Founders Month Match campaign by over $20,000
- Bee City Initiative passed by City Council
Thank you! It is because of your support that we are able to build a greener and more livable Richmond. Stay tuned, this year we will break ground on our Hotchkiss Green project, start a brand refinement, and celebrate 15 years since our founding.
Sincerely,
Shelly Barrick Parsons
Executive Director
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Hotchkiss Green
Located on Richmond’s northside, Hotchkiss Field Community Center is a community hub for the surrounding neighborhoods. The result of collaboration with neighbors and center users, our latest greenspace transformation project will convert just under 2 acres of underused turf into walking trails, increased tree canopy, pollinator meadows, and community spaces in Richmond’s Highland Park neighborhood. We are excited to announce that we will be breaking ground on the project in August with our groundbreaking celebration scheduled for 5:30 pm on August 26 and construction to begin in the following weeks. We are excited to be working with Exact Stormwater Management as lead contractors with James River Nurseries. You can follow along for project updates HERE.
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Ongoing Management
Capital Trees relies on the investment of community members in our ongoing sustainable management of completed projects. In the fiscal year ending on June 30, we saw a 20% increase in volunteer engagement. We sponsored 4 Community Workdays, 13 Private Workdays, and 39 Weekly Maintenance days throughout the year. The majority of the hours contributed were along the Low Line. However, our workdays expanded to include the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Richmond and maintenance of trees at the Canoe Run project site.
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Sustainability Blog, Pollinator Bio Blitz,
City Parks Alliance
As we continue to establish sustainable management practices, we are documenting our work and the research that inspires us in our blog. Check out recent posts:
Capital Trees sponsored a pollinator bio-blitz in June where citizen scientist volunteers came down to the Low Line during peak pollinator hours to document in INaturalist all insect sightings. We also welcomed partners from City of Richmond Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities and the Bee City taskforce. We also welcomed Board Member and Bee Keeper Hollee Freeman and weekly volunteer Jerry Gilbert to share about the mason bee house located on site.
Capital Trees staff and board member attended the Greater and Greener Conference in Seattle, Washington in June. Sponsored by the City Parks Alliance, Greater and Greener brings together professionals committed to public landscapes across the sectors. To catch a glimpse of what we learned, check out the July Blog.
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Bloom and Fruit Calendar
We design our landscapes as four season destinations. Don’t miss out on the plants that are putting on a show as we head into late summer. Be on the lookout for these blooms and fruits along the Low Line Gardens.
- White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
- Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
- American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
- Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)
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Volunteer
Want to help make Richmond greener and more livable?
We invite you to volunteer with us!
Learn more about volunteering.
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Target Circle Results
Thank you so much for voting for us in the Target Circle Giving Program.
We received $2,899.56 to help us further our mission to build public landscapes and enrich the community, with help from your generous votes. This donation came from a larger pool of funds donated from Target to nonprofits tied to the local community. View all the results at target.com/circle.
Continue checking our website and social media channels to learn more about our work.
Again, to everyone who participated, spread the word, and shared the love, thank you!
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Dominion Energy Charity Classic 5K
Grab your friends, family, or office mates and join us for a walk, run, or stroll on September 26, 6:00 pm at Hardywood West Creek. 100% of race entry fees will be given to Capital Trees when you select Capital Trees during REGISTRATION plus an additional 10% bonus through Birdies for Charity presented by TowneBank. The entry fee will be $40 through September 11, and increase to $45 on September 12. Additionally, the top three organizations that receive the most individual registrations on their race team will receive a $1,000 bonus from Dominion Energy. This link takes you directly to the Capital Trees registration page. If your business would like to sponsor a team and cover their registrations, please reach out to [email protected] for more information.
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