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As we prepare for our next Docent Training Program beginning in January, we’re excited to spotlight S.E.’s journey and how volunteering with Trees Atlanta helped her grow her 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.

Docent 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 (including trees, plants, and grasses that thrive there)
• 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.

S.E.’s Volunteer Story

My connection with Trees Atlanta began over a decade ago when I participated in planting projects as a middle and high school student. After moving back to Atlanta, I knew I wanted to reconnect with the organization. Taking the Docent Training course in early 2025 felt like the perfect next step, and it turned out to be an incredibly rewarding experience shared with a wonderful group of people from all across metro Atlanta.

Slowing Down and Connecting with Nature

My love for native plants and trees started in my ninth-grade biology class. Getting out of the classroom to explore campus taught me to slow down, focus on careful observation, and appreciate the world around me. The Docent Training course reignited that sense of wonder. It provided space to pause, look closely at the natural environment, and build a deeper appreciation for the urban forest surrounding us every day.

Beyond Identification: Storytelling and Skill-Building

While learning to identify native trees is a core component, the training goes far beyond simple memorization. The program emphasizes storytelling and helps you craft a cohesive theme for leading engaging tours. If tree identification feels intimidating, especially when faced with so many types of oaks, rest assured that perfection is never expected. I’ve actually found that during tours it’s meaningful to go through the process of identifying features of a tree and making a tree ID as a group. It’s a learning opportunity for the attendees and for me and provides attendees with confidence that with the right tools they can identify trees in their own neighborhoods. Throughout the entire experience, you gain valuable skills in public speaking and group facilitation, always supported by a welcoming community of peers and the amazing staff at Trees Atlanta.

Deepening Community Connection

One of the most surprising and fulfilling aspects of the course was the opportunity to design a tour in a place meaningful to me. Designing my tour meant diving into my own neighborhood’s history and environment, allowing me to engage with my immediate community in a tangible, hyperlocal way. In a time when it’s easy to feel disconnected, taking the docent course provides a meaningful bridge to build real relationships with neighbors and fellow tree lovers.

If you are looking to grow your confidence, share compelling stories, and connect more deeply with your community and local ecosystem, the Trees Atlanta Docent Training course is an unmatched opportunity.

“S.E. Spencer was an incredible guide! We all remarked on how much we learned! There was so much magical information packed into such a fun and personal environment. Everyone walked away having had the best morning. She was the best.” — Tree Tour Participant

“I learned a lot about the history of the neighborhood too and I have lived here for 22 years! The tour was really fun.” — Tree Tour Participant

“S.E. has created a wonderful tour that conjures a feeling of connection and community between neighbors, tree tour participants, Trees Atlanta, Friends of Perkerson Park, nd the Capitol View and Sylvan Hills Neighborhood Associations through a fun storytelling experience in a really neat area of Atlanta’s urban forest.” — Elizabeth Beak, Trees Atlanta Adult Education Coordinator

About the Author

After returning home to Georgia from North Carolina, S.E. Spencer Keziah has called SWTL home. She, her partner, and her dogs enjoy exploring Atlanta’s urban forest with trips further afield to the North Carolina mountains as often as possible. Growing up in metro Atlanta, S.E. spent time volunteering with Trees Atlanta and is excited to be part of the docent team to further the mission. She can’t wait to share her love for her neighbor with tour participants.

Published on: October 21, 2026