Community Educator
To educate the public about the importance of trees in an urban environment
Community educators working on the front line of the urban forestry
movement are the voice of the future, inspiring the community and
helping to shape the urban landscape by instilling the value of trees
in young and old.
Community education requires strong communication and public speaking
skills, a love of teaching and a knowledge of trees and biology. While
the primary aim of the educator is time spent teaching, much of the
preparation that goes into public presentations and programs takes
place in an office.
Dena Kirtley, a community educator with the Sacramento Tree Foundation,
coordinates and conducts tree planting events at schools, parks and
neighborhood groups. Before she can give a presentation or demonstrate
tree plantings, there are a multitude of tasks that must be
accomplished ranging from writing outlines and flyers to gathering
resources and materials. In her role as a community educator, Kirtley
moves between the office and the classroom to the field where she takes
a hands-on approach digging holes, pounding stakes and demonstrating
the correct way to plant and care for trees.
"You must be able to work under fluorescent lighting and at times in
the rain," Kirtley said. Such work has tangible rewards - "thousands of
trees planted and cared for by volunteers at schools, parks and other
public places," Kirtley said.
Community educators are flexible and able to work with all ages and
ethnic groups, tailoring presentations to produce the greatest
understanding and impact. "The ability to expect the unexpected and to
accomplish that which seems insurmountable," are rules Kirtley lives by
each day in her career.
Like many professionals in the nonprofit world community tree educators
work long hours for fewer dollars, but derive great rewards from the
work they do and the impact they have on their communities.
For Kirtley, the end results of her work can be seen in the smiles of
students as they take pride in planting trees and in the small saplings
themselves as they are set in the ground to root. "You will love your
work," Kirtley said. "Getting up each day to work with the community
and trees is very satisfying." Kirtley recalled the excitement a
kindergarten student experienced following a Seed to Seedling program
she conducted. The student was doing poorly in school and held back by
low self-esteem until he experienced success by planting a tree.
"He grew the tallest oak seedling and insisted on taking the tree to
the principal to show how well he had done," Kirtley recalled. By
sowing the seeds of knowledge, community educators help grow the
forests of tomorrow.
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