Tree Keeper Interest Form

Thank you for your interest in being a Tree Keeper with DUG!

Tree Keepers play an important role in shepherding and stewarding DUG's food forest sites as part of the Etkin Family Food Forest initiative. These sites will be your perennial playground, where you can make changes as needed–but it will also be your responsibility to ensure the survival and establishment of the trees and plants.

Commitment and Expectations for Tree Keepers:

At least two-year commitment: we want this to become something you own, love, and care for for a long time to come, and the less turnover the better. This is not just a place where you take orders from us at DUG, but something that reflects you and your passions and skills.
30-60 minutes of work per week on average: there will be less to do through the winter, a lot more to do during pruning season, and you will be expected to keep close tabs on the site at all times so you can see disease and pest issues as they arise. The most consistent and crucial work is watering for tree establishment.
Collaboration with at least one other Tree Keeper to meet goals: This will be someone outside of your family, although you are more than welcome to involve partners, family, and friends in this work.
Transition support: If you ever need to transition away from being a Tree Keeper, we ask that you recruit and find your replacement.

Support, Training, and Materials offered to you:

A bucket of materials: orcharding book, pruners, pruning saw, tie tape, limb spreaders, hat, and t-shirt. These are yours to keep for as long as you’re a Tree Keeper with us–if you ever need to find a replacement, we ask that you transfer the pruners, saw, and book to that replacement.
Education: Throughout the year there will be a series of tree-care workshops, with priority and free access given to our Tree Keepers. We will also convene some potlucks and community gatherings for our growing network. You will get access and notice about national tree-care trainings offered by The Giving Grove.
Staff Support: DUG staff will be on-call via text or email to answer questions as they come up. If you want to add new plants to the food forest, we will find you funding, volunteers, and schedule workdays to get that accomplished.

Your Name*

First NameLast Name

Email*

example@example.com

Home Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City

Postal / Zip Code

What neighborhood or area of metro Denver do you live in?*

Which of the following food forest locations are you interested in serving at as a Tree Keeper? NOTE: These options are the sites currently in need of a full Tree Keeper/site director, but most of our 24 sites welcome more volunteers and involvement. Check out the map of established sites on the main food forest page, and you can indicate your interest in the last question on this form.*

Tree Keepers are ongoing leadership positions, with a high degree of autonomy and support from DUG. Understanding that things can always change, ideal Tree Keepers will be able to commit to the site for multiple years. How many years do you feel you could commit to this opportunity?*

Do you have any questions, concerns, or ideas related to Tree Keeping or the Food Forest Initiative? NOTE: Use this box to tell us what food forest you want to help at if it doesn't currently need a Tree Keeper/site director.