Nearly 100 volunteers planted 50 trees and 400 shrubs at the new Pacer Promenade at Grant Union High School in Sacramento last weekend. Originally planned for three days of extensive volunteer work in the hot summer sun, the energetic volunteers completed the plantings in less than 6 total hours over July 25 and 26. “The dedication and leadership skills of the student leaders were amazing, and the hard work put in by all the volunteers made this challenging planting look easy,” said Cindy Blain from the Sacramento Tree Foundation. “We look forward to watching these trees and shrubs thrive under their care and stewardship.” 

The project was conceived and planned by students from the GEO Environmental Science and Design Academy at Grant Union High School working in partnership with UC Davis Landscape Architecture students. “The completion of this project is due to the vision and hard work of students and teachers on the Grant High School campus, and the support of community volunteers,” commented Meredith Holkeboer, Education and Volunteer Coordinator at the Sacramento Tree Foundation.

The plan is to transform the heart of the school’s campus from an asphalt roadway into a safe, shaded walkway by planting trees, replacing the asphalt with light-reflecting pavement and installing drought-tolerant plants along the Promenade to collect and filter stormwater run-off. Funded by the Strategic Growth Council, the project will create a promenade of shade, beauty and pride for students and the community.