Major Goals
The primary goal of the new group is to help replenish the urban forest by planting shade trees the length of the median on Jefferson Boulevard, one of the widest medians in the city and also notably barren in most areas. To preserve traffic sightlines for safety, the trees will be planted in the center of the medians, away from the intersections. Native grasses and low shrubs will be planted closer to the intersections. This will create bird habitat and serve as a visual transition from street level at the ends of the medians to the tall trees in the center. The possibility of a walking trail running through the medians has also been discussed.
The Plan
Trees are available free to the public for planting on city property, and the group plans to use this program to obtain the trees for the project. Volunteers are needed to help with unloading the trees and planting them. Groups are also needed to "adopt a block" or section of the median to mulch the trees and keep them watered for the first two summers as required by the program. Hopefully neighborhood associations or businesses in proximity to each section of the median will sign up to water the trees in that section. The organization is in the initial stages of formation. Anyone interested in joining the planning committee should contact Van Johnson at OakCliffEarthDay@aol.com .