Volunteer Spotlight: Jeff Keesee and the Docent Training Program
If you’ve ever joined a Trees Atlanta Tree Tour along the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum, you may have met Jeff Keesee, one of our passionate and engaging Docents. With a mix of humor, history, and a deep appreciation for the city’s trees, Jeff brings the story of the “City in the Forest” to life for everyone he meets.
As we prepare for our next Docent Training Program beginning in January, we’re excited to spotlight Jeff’s journey and how volunteering with Trees Atlanta has helped him grow his roots in the community.
What is a Docent?
Trees Atlanta Docents are volunteer educators who help share the story of Atlanta’s urban forest by leading walking tours, speaking at events, and inspiring others to care for our city’s trees.
Docents receive training through a five-session course that covers:
- The history and mission of Trees Atlanta
- Atlanta’s evolution as the “City in the Forest”
- The horticulture of the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum
- Skills in public speaking, interpretation, and leading tours
After classroom sessions, trainees shadow experienced Docents and complete a mock tour before leading their own. Once certified, volunteers can choose the tours and schedule that best fit their interests, from Tree Tours to speaking with community groups and schools.
Jeff’s Volunteer Story
Back in 1994, the Atlanta Olympic Committee announced that a candidate’s history of community service would be considered when selecting volunteers for the Olympics. Oops! So I started planting trees with Trees Atlanta.
Eventually, the Olympic organization reached out: “We’d like you to be a volunteer driver — five days a week, eight hours a day, for all three weeks of the event.” I politely declined (sit in traffic during the world’s biggest sporting event in my hometown?) But I kept planting trees, and I do to this day. In a way, that’s my Olympic legacy.
After years of planting with Trees Atlanta, I became interested in the Docent Program around 2018. I decided to take the course because I wanted to keep giving back to my community, even as my tree planting days were slowing down. There were plenty of highlights from the class, but the most impactful part was meeting the other community members who were just as passionate about trees.
Of course, good things come with challenges. For me, it was the public speaking component. I was surprised to discover that once I finished the class, I actually loved public speaking — at least when it’s part of a tour. I like to think of my tours as “a short walk with stories I hope you want to year.”
Since completing the Docent Training Program, I’ve kept learning. I’m always researching new facts about trees, Atlanta’s history, and community efforts to share on my monthly Atlanta Beltline Arboretum tours.
If you’re interested in meeting new people, this is a great program. It helps you grow a love for the natural world all around us, even in the heart of the city. During the class, you also get to hear other docent give their versions of tour overviews. The topics are similar, but the delivery, passion, and level of detail vary so much. It’s inspiring to see how everyone finds their own voice.
Trees Atlanta is about more than planting trees — it’s about cultivating connections: to the land, to history, and to each other. The Docent course helped me find new ways to serve and share what I love. If you care about your community and the environment, you’ll find your place here too.
“If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for one of Jeff’s beloved Tree Tours along the Eastside Beltline Arboretum! Not only will you learn about the history of this project and place, but Jeff has a special gift for sparking wonder and helping us all deepen our appreciation for Atlanta’s urban forest, And if you’re thinking about becoming a docent, you can count on Jeff to be one of your biggest cheerleaders.” — Elizabeth Beak, Adult Education Coordinator
“Jeff’s tour is really fun!” — Tour Attendee
“Jeff was incredibly knowledgeable and welcoming. The group loved his energy!” — Tour Attendee
About the Author: Jeff Keesee
Jeff is a nearly native Atlantan whose love of trees first took root in his Oregon youth and continue to grow and branch out through his work as a Trees Atlanta volunteer and docent. He highlights memorable stumps and trees from his tours on his blog. Join him for a Tree Tour: History and Change on the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail.
Published on: October 22, 2025
