December 2023 Quarterly Report

Quarterly Update

Capital Trees’ work this quarter illustrates one of our core values: Collaborative. We build partnerships to increase, improve, and sustainably manage public greenspace. Throughout this newsletter you will find examples of our collaborative nature. We continue to strengthen relationships with public and private partners to build a greener and more livable Richmond.

Your investment, whether it’s a financial gift or the gift of volunteer hours, makes it possible to continue this important work in Richmond. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Shelly Barrick Parsons
Executive Director

BUILD

Canoe Run Park

In October, Capital Trees partnered with Keep Va Beautiful, Co-Star, and Richmond’s Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities to plant 50 trees at Canoe Run Park. We welcomed community volunteers and Co-Star employees and their family members to plant native trees that will help build shade around the existing walking trail. Capital Trees staff collaborated with the staff at KVB and DPR to plan and lead this project. Thank you to our partners in this project. If you are interested in sponsoring a tree planting event, please reach out to us at [email protected] to start the planning.

Hotchkiss Update

Capital Trees sponsored a tree giveaway at Hotchkiss Field and Community Center in October during the Arbor Day RVA weeklong celebration of trees. We continue to move through plan review and approval with the City and are on track to break ground in 2024.

The project design is a result of collaboration with the community. In the fall of 2022, Capital Trees board members and staff attended community meetings, hosted on site meetings, and surveyed center users and neighbors to hear their ideas for the green space renovation. Timmons Group then used community input to develop concept plans. Three concept plans were shared with the community in the winter of 2023 and community feedback inspired the creation of the final concept plan in the spring of 2023. Look for exciting announcements in the new year about funding, contractor selection, and groundbreaking. A gift to Capital Trees will help us move forward with Hotchkiss and continue our work throughout Richmond.

MANAGE

A Tally Of Volunteer Hours

Capital Trees volunteers and staff continued their hard work into the fall including ongoing management of the Low Line and Great Shiplock Park and the tree planting at Canoe Run. Thanks to our maintenance volunteers who contributed over 116 hours of service, and private and community workday volunteers for contributing over 183 hours of garden care. Thank you for investing time in keeping these public landscapes transformational spaces!

Thanks to…

William and Mary Branch Out and Steward School for volunteering as part of private workdays this quarter. Thanks to Steward School for returning to volunteer for their second time this year.

We are excited to schedule your private group for a workday in 2024, please reach out to Lisa Trapp, Program and Outreach Manager, [email protected] for more information or to get on our calendar.

Sustainable Management Impacts

This fall saw the following positive impacts from our sustainable management practices:

Reducing waste by using the fallen leaves as mulch
Progress on controlling the seed bank; learn about seed bank reduction here
Transplants from the Low Line Gardens to the Low Line Green are thriving

EDUCATE

Community Events

The third week in October kicked off the Arbor Day RVA events organized by Reforest Richmond. Capital Trees led three events during the weeklong celebration. We partnered with Va Capital Trail Foundation to sponsor a plant identification tour along the Virginia Capital Trail. We also hosted a tree giveaway at Hotchkiss and the tree planting at Canoe Run. Reforest Richmond also sponsored a tree giveaway at Great Shiplock Park.

Sustainability Blog

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:

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 winter. Be on the lookout for these blooms and fruits along the Low Line Gardens.