Root for Trees offers public drop-in planting volunteer opportunities with no registration required.

Are you looking for a flexible volunteer opportunity? Root for Trees now offers public drop-in plantings with no registration required. 

two persons in field planting trees

Check our schedule to see when and where you can join us as an individual, with a friend, or in a small group. Drop-in, plant and help to grow Edmonton’s urban forest.

What Do We Provide?

  • Native tree seedlings
  • Shovels and gloves
  • Staff on site to talk about planting safety, how to plant your seedlings and to be available for questions

All the planting supplies will be ready on site.

Training

All training is provided on-site. Root for Trees Program Leaders will be present to provide a planting demonstration, safety talk, and share interesting facts about Edmonton’s urban forest.

All safety protocols communicated must be followed while volunteering.

Drop-in Schedule

Drop-in plantings are scheduled in 3-hour increments and are available weekly from May-mid-October.

Our 2025 season will begin in May! 

Preassigned Locations

Each drop-in planting will have a preassigned location. Locations will rotate between all quadrants of the city. Please see the Drop-In Planting Site Map for site directions and parking information.

What to Expect

Upon arrival, check in with Root for Trees staff on site. This involves signing our volunteer sign-in form. Staff will provide a site orientation including a safety talk and planting demonstration. Volunteers will then be provided with gloves, a shovel and plant material. Volunteers can drop in and leave anytime during the scheduled time slots. Come and plant for 30 minutes or a few hours.

This differs from our registered programs, as groups pre-book their planting online and are planting for a scheduled timeframe with their specific group.

Plant materials and equipment are available on a first-come-first-served basis. If all plant material is planted before the end of the scheduled drop-in program, staff will facilitate additional activities such as:

  • Weed pulling
  • Educational activities

Recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

All safety protocols communicated must be followed while volunteering.

Supplied by the volunteer:

  • Sturdy, closed-toe footwear such as runners (if proper footwear is not worn, volunteers will be unable to participate)
  • Hat, sunglasses and long pants are recommended

Supplied by Root for Trees:

  • Clean gloves

Program Cancellation Policy

Root for Trees will plant rain or shine! However, in the event of severe weather, plantings may be shortened or cancelled for staff and public safety. Severe weather conditions that would necessitate cancellation include:

  • Thunderstorms or lightning
  • Temperature equal to or above 34°C (including the Humidex)
  • Wind, including gusts, of over 45 km/h
  • An air quality health index (AQHI) of 7 or above

The City of Edmonton retains the right to modify or cancel the planting in the case of inclement weather and public safety.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

two persons planting tree saplings
Registered Group Tree Planting

An educational and fun experience facilitated by our Program Leaders. All plant material, shovels and gloves are provided by Root for Trees.

four persons standing with shovels and forms in park
Root for Trees Special Events

Join us for tree planting and other special events throughout the season to celebrate Edmonton's urban forest and our communities.

Contact Us

311 Contact Centre

Contact 311 Online

Phone  311 | Outside of Edmonton: 780-442-5311 | TTY 711