Tree Stewards

Community volunteers play a critical role in planting and caring for trees. Cities and states across the country have established training programs and networks to harness the power of community volunteers, whether they are called “Tree Tenders” (Pennsylvania), “Tree Stewards” (Virginia), “TreeKeepers” (Baltimore) or by other names.  This page links you to some of the existing programs active in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and we hope to see the list grow as more communities and states develop programs.


Tree graphic with text Maryland Forest Service Tree-Mendous Maryland Tree Stewards

Maryland Tree Stewards

Launched in 2020, the Maryland Tree Stewards training program enables Marylanders to connect to their local trees through planting and caring for trees.

Green logo Delaware Tree Stewards with tree graphic

Delaware Tree Stewards

Launched in fall 2020, the Delaware Tree Stewards training program connects Delawareans to their landscapes through the acts of planting and caring for trees.

Citizen Foresters in DC – Casey Trees

Citizen Forester courses educate tree stewards to identify, plant and advocate for trees in D.C. Citizen Foresters represent a group of over 1,700 dedicated students that have taken one of the four courses offered by Casey Trees.

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Virginia Tree Stewards

The Virginia Tree Stewards program provides training materials to support local tree steward groups. Join one of the many local tree stewards groups listed on the Trees Virginia website or learn how to start your own.

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Tree Tenders in Pennsylvania

Tree Tenders® is a training program developed by Pennsylvania Horticultural Society that is offered statewide through the TreeVitalize partnership. For more information on training opportunities in the Chesapeake Bay portion of Pennsylvania, contact Shea Zwerver.

Baltimore TreeKeepers

Baltimore TreeKeepers is a city-wide tree stewardship program that promotes healthy trees by educating residents and increasing their role in the care of the City’s trees. Offered through Baltimore Tree Trust and other organizations in the TreeBaltimore partnership, TreeKeepers includes a variety of free trainings, from introductory to advanced.