Over the last two years, SacTree has made a concerted effort to engage community members in under-canopied neighborhoods with the hope of delivering the education needed to grow the best urban forest possible. You might have read about our activities in South Sacramento and Rancho Cordova; however, did you know we’ve also been busy in the Del Paso Heights area of North Sac?

In the fall of 2016, Sac Tree began collaborating with the Del Paso Heights Growers’ Alliance (DPHGA) to plan and implement the Planting with Purpose tree planting project, funded by California ReLeaf. DPHGA seeks to ensure that native trees and edible plant species remain an integral part of the urban forest in the community of Del Paso Heights in North Sacramento.

On April 1, 2017, one hundred volunteers worked to plant, mulch, and water-in 28 brand new shade trees at Nuevo Park as the first phase of the Planting with Purpose project. Phase two of the project is planned for the fall of 2017 with additional shade trees being planted at Robertson Park.

Following the successful planting at Nuevo Park, we thought, “Why just limit ourselves to shade trees?” So Sac Tree and DPHGA went back to the drawing board, developing another project at the Del Paso Heights Community Garden that focused on planting shade and fruit trees, as well as plants in the garden. In celebration of Earth Day and National Arbor Day, 25 volunteers gathered to plant and mulch 10 shade trees and 10 fruit trees, as well plant a variety of garden plants.

The fun continued in May with the establishment of the True Beginnings Community Orchard on the corner of Rio Linda Blvd. and Grand Ave on Terkensha Associates property. A huge victory due to the fact that this land was vacant for over 40 years, this area is now home to 16 shade trees and 40 fruit trees planted by volunteers from the CA State Assembly in partnership with Green Technical Education and Employment (Green Tech), Soil Born Farms, and EPPE Corporation.

Looking forward to September 2017, there are plans to establish a fourth community garden, Suga’ Cane Community Garden, as part of United Way’s Day of Caring. This project would convert a barren lot into a functioning community garden with staple crops such as sugar cane and select fruit trees to raise awareness of diabetes and natural sources of sugar, with the ultimate goal of building a site that could provide job training to Green Tech participants and their families.

We’re excited to be a part of this effort to green the Del Paso Heights area of North Sacramento. We believe that every resident of our region deserves to live on beautiful, tree-lined streets, visit shaded parks and schools, as well as reap the health benefits that full-canopied back and front yards can provide.

Special thanks to our other partners in North Sac: Pacific Housing Inc., City of Sacramento Parks and Recreation Department, District 2 Parks and Recreation Commissioner, Green Technical Education and Employment, Terkensha Associates, EPEE Corporation, and Mutual Assistance Network of Del Paso Heights. These projects could not been completed without all of your support.

Funding for these California Climate Investments grant projects has been provided through California ReLeaf and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Urban and Community Forestry Program.