In case you hadn’t noticed, March and April were busy, tree-filled months in Rancho Cordova!

We kicked off March with a planting in Matthew Kilgore Cemetery on California Arbor Day: Tuesday, March 7th. A Japanese maple was planted by Vice Mayor Linda Budge and Council Member Robert McGarvey as the City of Rancho Cordova celebrated its first-ever designation as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. We also used the occasion to recognize our community engagement through our tree planting partnership with the City of Rancho Cordova and SMUD as we work to plant at least a tree a day in the city. 

In May 2016 we completed our tree planting pilot program, 100 Trees in Lincoln Village, where we helped plant trees in front yards throughout the neighborhood. On March 25th, we returned in partnership with the Cordova Recreation and Parks District to find homes for 33 more trees — this time in Lincoln Village Community Park. Fueled by a tasty breakfast of coffee and bagels, 75 volunteers braved the soggy conditions and planted the trees in record time.

Saturday, April 8th saw two events. During the first, volunteer tree planting groups took over the neighborhoods of Cordova Meadows and Cordova Gardens with 46 trees planted at 20 different homes. Across town, Sunriver Park was the recipient of seven trees during the ribbon cutting of their brand new par course. We’re looking forward to hearing stories of neighbors relaxing underneath the shade of their new trees for years to come!

After four planting events in less than a month, you’d think we’d be done. No chance! Instead, we thought, “Why should neighborhoods and parks have all the tree-fun?” We decided to celebrate Earth Week with Rancho Cordova area churches planting 116 trees at four locations!

On Earth Day, Saturday, April 22nd, we revisited the Sunriver neighborhood where community members came together under sunny skies to plant 43 trees at 20 homes, ending the day, and our marathon of trees, by having a tasty celebratory lunch together.

By our count, that’s 246 trees in 49 days all in Rancho Cordova! “Why trees?”, you may ask? Well, we believe that trees are integral to human health. Every resident of our region deserves to on live tree-lined streets and to have access to fully-shaded parks and schools. Our goal is to empower and support a neighborhood’s desire to improve their community through tree planting and care.

Thank you to the City of Rancho Cordova for making trees a priority! Additionally, many thanks to Cordova Recreation & Park District, our community volunteers, and SMUD. Free trees are brought to you by SMUD.