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Trees Atlanta’s docent training program equips dedicated volunteers with the skills to engage the community, bringing tree education to neighborhoods across the city. This January, as we prepare for our next cohort of docents, we’re excited to introduce you to two longtime supporters who embody the heart of our program: Kent and Maxine Watkins.

Kent and Maxine’s journey with Trees Atlanta began back in 2008, when their son, Blake, invited them to join him at a tree planting event. Enthusiastic about the mission of empowering communities to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees, they quickly became dedicated volunteers. Even after Blake moved on to a different job, Kent and Maxine continued to volunteer, drawn by the sense of purpose they found within the Trees Atlanta community.

Although neither came from a horticultural background — Kent, a Chemical Engineer from Iowa State University, and Maxine, a Clemson graduate who worked in IT and administration — they were eager to learn. Over the past 16 years, they’ve participated in every hands-on task you can imagine: pruning tree limbs, removing invasive plants, planting trees, spreading mulch, and even helping with bike maintenance for youth camps. Along the way, they’ve expanded their own knowledge by attending educational programs and events hosted by Trees Atlanta.

Recently, they’ve shifted their focus to sharing that knowledge as docents. Since 2015, Maxine has been leading tours of the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside and Southwest Trails, as well as at the Trees Atlanta Kendeda TreeHouse. Kent has curated unique tours exploring the historical trees of Chastain Park, the Northside Atlanta Beltline, and areas along the Chattahoochee River in partnership with the Chattahoochee River National Park Conservancy.

Maxine describes their tour experiences as more than just guided walks through nature: “When we take our friends or tour participants for walks, they’re in for more than just a leisurely stroll. We stop to marvel over one tree or another, weaving in Atlanta history, Beltline stories, or Southern folklore. It’s rewarding to watch people start seeing trees in a new way, identifying leaves and appreciating the unique beauty and significance of our green spaces.”

For Kent and Maxine, volunteering with Trees Atlanta has been transformative.

“Through our journey, we’ve not only learned a lot about trees, but we’ve also connected with our community. We’ve made friends, discovered our passion for sharing knowledge, and found a meaningful way to give back to Atlanta.”

Thank you, Kent and Maxine, for the dedication and passion you bring to Trees Atlanta. We can’t wait to welcome a new group of docents this January, inspired by your example. Interested in becoming a Tree Tour Guide or Tree Speaker? Join us for the 2025 Docent Training program and help us bring the wonder of Atlanta’s urban forest to others!

Photos (As they appear): Cover Image, Credit: Kent and Maxine Watkins. “Kent and Maxine Watkins surrounded by the leaves of a Gingko tree”; Credit: Kent and Maxine Watkins. “Kent and Maxine Watkins”; Credit: Kent and Maxine Watkins. “Kent Watkins leads a tour group along the Chattahoochee River”

Published on: November 11, 2024