Rebuild Together Petaluma(ReLeaf Petaluma)

After planting over 1600 native trees in Petaluma’s parks and schools in recent years, ReLeaf Petaluma has launched two new programs. Recently, ReLeaf Petaluma has launched its residential tree program whereby residents can sign up for one or more free native trees, selected and located by our experts, planted by our volunteers, but cared for and watered by the property owner. We already have nearly 300 residents signed up. Interviews are proceeding and planting will start in November when the rains return. We hope to have planted 500 native trees in private residents around Petaluma in the next 2 years. We are giving priority to neighborhoods that are “heat islands,” or environmentally disadvantaged. We hope that as we increase Petaluma’s forest canopy, the daytime temperatures of our fair city will drop or at least not rise as the climate warms.

Also launched this fall, will be ReLeaf Petaluma’s ReOaking program. In this program will be planting 750 acorns or seedlings in open spaces in the greater Petaluma watershed in the next 3 years, with particular emphasis upon restoring creeks and riparian areas. We will use native species, which have a remarkable ability to grow in this local soil and tolerate summer droughts.

All of this would not happen without your support! While grants fund much of what we do, ReLeaf needs matching funds, money to support expenses not covered in grants, and seed money to support new programs and grant applications. So please continue to support ReLeaf with a generous contribution today.