News

Taking Measures for the Health and Well-Being of Our Community

Image used with permission of R.Land, IG: @rlandzo

Updated: 10/4/22

Masks are optional except in the cases of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection or other illness (10-day masking requirement in suspected or confirmed cases of illness including COVID-19)

Testing is no longer required, but recommended if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or if you are experiencing symptoms of illness

There are little to no precautions for COVID-19, or any other illnesses, in the public and you will need to make those considerations on your own. Remember that COVID-19 is still present and is very transmissible. Utilizing the best practices for hygiene is advised. This includes washing your hands frequently and refraining from touching your face. It is also recommended that while you are in public spaces where your exposure is unknown that you wear a mask and carry alcohol-based sanitizer to use when you are not able to wash your hands.

 

Updated: 5/28/22

Indoor Events: We request that you wear a mask upon arrival to any Trees Atlanta event. Please make sure your mask fits well and covers your mouth and nose. Masks will be available at an event if you do not have one. Masks may be removed while eating or drinking.

Outdoor Events: Masks are optional for our outdoor events unless stated on a specific event due to instructor’s request.

 

Update: 1/14/22

The City of Atlanta updated its “COVID-19 Resilience Plan” to Red Zone, as of Dec. 28, 2021. In consideration of current advice from the CDC and with an abundance of caution, Trees Atlanta is continuing its safety protocols for mask requirements for indoor and outdoor events.

We request:

  • You wear a mask upon arrival to any Trees Atlanta event. Please make sure your mask fits well and covers your mouth and nose.
  • Please keep a mask on during check-in and the planting demonstration and any time you are working in close proximity to other volunteers not in your household.
  • Masks are required for all volunteers when they are working within 6 feet of another person.
  • If outdoors, you may take off your mask after check in and when not in close contact with others. A mask is not required outdoors if you are working alone or not with others outside of your household.

 

Update: 7/28/21

The Mayor of the City of Atlanta has mandated masks are required for “all persons in a public place, including private businesses and establishments, to wear a mask or a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth when indoors.” Until further notice, all indoor events require attendees and staff to wear a face covering/mask.

 

Update: May 27, 2021

  • Trees Atlanta has updated it’s mask policy based on the Centers for Disease Control advice that individuals who are fully vaccinated can resume regular activities without masks: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html.

  • Trees Atlanta employees who are fully vaccinated can choose whether to wear masks when on the job, inside and outside of company buildings, and in company vehicles. Employees who are unvaccinated must adhere to all ongoing work related COVID-19 testing requirements and continue to follow public safety protocols, in particular masks must be worn when working inside any Trees Atlanta facility or while in a Trees Atlanta vehicle in the presence of other individuals.

  • Employees are not required to wear a mask when working alone or away from others outside; however, they are advised to put on a mask if and when they find themselves in situations where they would interact in close quarters with the public where COVID exposure is unknown.

  • All visitors to entering Trees Atlanta buildings or vehicles are required to wear a mask.

  • As of June 1, 2021, it is optional for volunteers to wear a mask while working outside on projects.

 

Update: January 20, 2021

  • Trees Atlanta continues to host outdoor volunteer events with safety protocols in place, including physical distancing and mask requirements.
  • Number of participants in any group is limited to fewer than 15; each work team is required to work independently, unless part of an existing “pod”. Multiple groups are allowed only when the project site is large and allows people to distance physically.
  • Registration for 2021 Jr. TreeKeeper Camp is open. Please review the 2021 Camp Handbook in Camp Resources for information regarding safety protocol and updated refund policy and dates.

Update: September 15, 2020

  • On September 14, 2020, the City of Atlanta returned to Phase 2 of the Reopening Phases.
  • Anyone who enters into a Trees Atlanta facility must first check their temperature. Instructions are provided along with a touchless thermometer at each facility.
  • Use of masks, social distancing, and hand sanitizing/washing remains in force for all employees and visitors.

Update: July 13, 2020

  • As of July 10, the City of Atlanta returned to Phase 1 of the Reopening Phases.
  • We continue to work as an essential service, and all staff and volunteers are required to observe social distancing and masking requirements, as well as all other prudent safety precautions.
  • Volunteer projects continue, but with further reduced numbers in small groups.

Update: June 9, 2020

Trees Atlanta is monitoring public health guidance as we plan to return to regular operations. We continue to learn and adjust operations for the safety of our staff and community:

  • We are referring to the City of Atlanta’s Reopening Phases as we monitor the state of business in Atlanta. (For more information, please visit: https://atlstrong.org.) 
  • As of May 27, the City of Atlanta entered into Phase 2 of the Reopening Phases. 
  • Through the pandemic, our staff has continued working while observing local orders and recommended safety protocols. Our crews have been working outdoors, and work for staff indoors has been moved to work-from-home (WFH). 
  • When work in the office is required, employees must follow public health safety procedures, including requirements to wear a mask when in the office with others and regular equipment cleaning protocols.
  • Our facilities remain closed to the public.
  • A limited number of volunteers also helped keep our work moving forward by working with us from a distance. (Trees Atlanta Volunteers Work Creatively From a Distance During COVID-19)

Some notable changes in programming for Spring/Summer include:

  • Small Group Volunteering: In June, we opened small group projects with 9 or fewer volunteers. We lead a few 5-volunteer projects in May with success; this assured us that small group volunteering opportunties were feasible and possible. Projects will be posted on our Calendar of Events — registration is mandatory to keep to our participant limits.
  • Junior TreeKeeper: Trees Atlanta Summer Camp 2020 is canceled. We will monitor public health guidance regarding return to school and in-school education programming in the coming months.
  • 2020 TreeKeepers Training Program: Our annual 6-session training program will be conducted as virtual sessions beginning in late July. Registration is open.
  • Online Pruning Classes: Pruning classes are offered online. All pruning volunteers must have completed Pruning 101 or above AND have demonstrated volunteer experience before being approved for “solo pruning” assignments. 

We are mindfully planning how we’ll head into the coming months and how we’ll lead larger volunteer projects and other outreach and education events. If you have questions or concerns about our business operations or planned programming, please email info@treesatlanta.org.

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Update: April 30, 2020

Through these unprecedented weeks, all Trees Atlanta employees have continued to work from home or outdoors while observing careful social distancing and safety guidelines. Our staff and crew have continued to work with significant modifications. We are striving to be creative and modifying our volunteer, education, and community programs to keep our community engaged — while we are apart. Many programs are being hosted in virtual formats, and sadly some programs have been postponed and a few canceled.

We miss our volunteers and community very much. Meanwhile, we are actively evaluating when and how we can safely re-engage volunteers. For the moment, here are updates to our operations:

  • All in-person group volunteer projects, programs, and events are canceled through  May 16.
  • A few volunteers are volunteering-at-home helping us deliver virtual programs and providing other technical expertise. We greatly appreciate their assistance in helping us to navigate and move forward into new ways to work.
  • There will be a very limited range of outdoor tasks that we will allow trained and experienced volunteers to participate in, such as solo pruning, distanced mulching, or watering activities, for example. If you observe staff and/or volunteers in the field, note these events have been carefully planned to allow us to complete necessary and essential work while observing all safety guidelines. The work opportunities are not open for general volunteer sign up for the time being.
  • If you are a Green Shirt volunteer, TreeKeeper/Certified Volunteer, or other volunteer with specific expertise and would like to discuss possible volunteer activities, please email susan@treesatlanta.org.
  • New virtual education events, including webinars for kids and adults, are added to our website regularly. Check out our Virtual Youth Education daily activities and view the Calendar of Events for Virtual Adult Education programs.
  • Online how-to Pruning classes are being added to our virtual program curriculum. Please visit our Calendar of Events to view upcoming education options.

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Update from our Co-Executive Directors: April 24, 2020

On behalf of the entire Trees Atlanta staff, board, and leadership, thank you for your support throughout the years. We’re so grateful for supporters like you, who, even in trying times, allow us the flexibility and security to continue our 35-year commitment to the city we love. We are also thankful for those who have and continue to sacrifice so much to keep us all safe.

As our staff continues to focus on the fulfillment of our mission, our primary objective is their wellbeing and safety. Trees Atlanta’s mission has not changed, but the way we accomplish it has. We have enacted several protocols to ensure that we are able to keep Atlanta’s urban forest thriving as we protect our loyal volunteers and passionate staff.

Our youth educators continue to shape our next environmentalists through e-classroom visits. Administrative staff is pursuing every available funding outlet to ensure financial stability into the future. Our program teams are using collaborative mobile technology to survey and plan for the next years’ projects. When it’s necessary to work onsite each employee is outfitted with CDC-recommended personal protective equipment. Our entire staff is also following social distancing protocols.

Our team’s off-the-clock wellbeing is equally important to us. We’ve been approved for the Paycheck Protection Program which will support our staffing expenses over the near term. We also just wrapped up our first-ever virtual plant sale. The response was overwhelming, raising funds to help support our programming. Our first-ever mobile pruning seminars are being hosted in late April, with many more classes being planned for the future. Our annual spring gala, The Root Ball, has been postponed to ensure the safety of staff, corporate partners, and supporters. We’ve taken these challenges as an opportunity to ensure Trees Atlanta’s brand and reputation remain strong.

For all of the hardships that COVID-19 has caused, we are optimistic that it’s also provided us a unified perspective. We are all in this fight together, we each have a part to play, and we are in awe of the selflessness of all of the front-liners who keep us safe. Through education, tree planting, and stewardship of our urban forest, Trees Atlanta remains committed to creating a healthier Atlanta for all. We thank you for your support and because of it, we will come away from this stronger and more focused than ever. We hope that you and your family remain safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Connie Veates and Greg Levine

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Update: April 8, 2020

  • All group volunteer projects, programs, and events will be canceled (or rescheduled) through April 30.
  • We are adding new virtual education events, including webinars for kids and adults. Check out our Virtual Youth Education daily activities and view the Calendar of Events for Virtual Adult Education programs.
  • Our 2020 Native Plant Sale has gone virtual! Orders accepted through April 9. Pickup from the Trees Atlanta office (225 Chester Ave) starting April 16.
    • If you ordered plants, please check your email (including categories or spam folders) for important information about scheduling pickup timeslots.
    • Orders with Local Delivery will be scheduled via email. We are sending out messages to help schedule a time that works best for you and our delivery route.
    • Thank you everyone for the amazing support you showed up by supporting our annual Native Plant Sale — Virtual Edition!

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Originally published on March 17, 2020

Our goal is to improve the well-being of our community. The mission of Trees Atlanta is in service of people’s health and welfare through the conservation of our urban forest. During this period of quickly evolving updates and guidance regarding COVID-19, we are taking steps to help “flatten the curve” by limiting social interactions for the well-being of our community.

Here are some steps that we are practicing moving forward until further notice:

  • All group volunteer projects, programs, and events will be canceled (or rescheduled) through March 28. If you’ve registered for a project and have not received an update, please check our website for information.
  • Our Calendar of Events will be updated with event statuses. Find your specific event and read the event description for information.
  • We will suspend our youth education programs, including school visits and field trips, while local school systems are closed.
  • We will continue working. We have taken steps to enable employees to safely continue working, including working from home or shifting to work outdoors with appropriate social distancing. Due to these accommodations, please understand that your voicemail or email to employees may take a bit longer to be answered.
  • We discourage visitors to our facilities unless necessary for business continuity. If you have a need to come to our offices, please contact the staff member you are meeting in advance.

Help us maintain proper social distancing. Maintain a distance of 6 feet or greater from each other whether outdoors or indoors. Still uncertain about events or have further questions? Please send an email to info@treesatlanta.org. We’ll reply to your questions as quickly as possible.

Trees Atlanta is monitoring the status of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and putting into place prevention and preparedness measures with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local, state, and federal agencies. Trees Atlanta is an organization that is deeply connected to our community, and we’ll keep you informed of any significant changes in our organization’s response.

In the coming days, we hope you keep in mind that the outdoors may offer a welcomed refuge while you self-quarantine. Work in your garden. Take a walk in the woods. Finally get around to removing the English ivy climbing up your tree. Sit outside and sketch. Above all, take care of yourself, wash your hands, and remember: it will be ok.