Safety Protocols

Safety Protocols During COVID

Trees Atlanta prioritizes the health and safety of our community, volunteers, and staff.

When participating in a Trees Atlanta event, please observe these safety protocols.

Update 7/13/22:

Masking is optional in Trees Atlanta buildings and vehicles until further notice.

Specific programs, such as Summer Camp, Youth Tree Team, and TreeKeepers class will continue to operate under the previously prescribed protocol and determined by the program Director (currently, mask required), until further notice.

Quarantine requirements for any individual who are exposed or tests positive remain in effect.

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.
Masks are required inside all Trees Atlanta buildings and vehicles (i.e., trucks, trailers, vans, etc.).

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.

Volunteers must follow these safety precautions:

Masks are recommended for unvaccinated volunteers when they are working within 6 feet of another person. Please bring a mask with you so you’ll have it ready if someone requests you wear it.
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.
Trees Atlanta recommends that volunteers bring their own work gloves. We will provide backup gloves for those who forget to bring a pair.
Additional personal hygiene recommendations:
- Cover coughs and sneezes with elbows
- Refrain from touching one’s face
- Wear hair up or wear a hat to reduce face touching
If you experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to an individual with COVID-19, please stay home until you have completed your recommended quarantine
If you feel ill during the volunteer project, please go home
By volunteering at this project, you are participating on your own accord and accept possible risks associated with interacting with other people
If at any time, any safety rules are not or cannot be followed, we will make adjustments to create a safer work environment, including ending the project early

Ages

Please check the volunteer opportunity description to see what ages are recommended for participation. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Volunteers who are ages 16 and 17 can attend without a parent/legal guardian if they bring a waiver signed by a parent/legal guardian with them.

Tree planting can be physically challenging, and youth under 16 need much assistance from adults to dig the holes (you could hit roots, rocks, compacted soil, or all of these!). Young kids can participate by massaging the tree’s root ball to loosen it, filling the holes back in, and mulching and watering the trees. Kids are really great at naming trees, too!

Most Forest Restoration and Tree Care projects are best for ages 12 and up.

Liability Release

All volunteers must agree to this liability waiver when registering for this project or when signing in at this project. Please read the agreement carefully and select ‘yes’ on this field when registering.

If you have any other concerns, please contact the project coordinator listed for each volunteer event or email susan@treesatlanta.org.

For further information on what we are doing in response to COVID-19, please read: Taking Measures for the Health and Well-Being of Our Community

Adult and Family Education Programs, Tours, and other Group In-Person Events

Updated 8/23/22

Indoor Events: Masks are recommended, but not required, for indoor events (unless stated on a specific event due to an instructor’s request.) Masks will be available at an event if you do not have one.

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

If you were exposed and are experiencing symptoms or if you have tested positive to COVID-19, please contact Trees Atlanta (education@treesatlanta.org) to cancel your event reservation and stay home. By attending this event, you are participating on your own accord and accept possible risks associated with interacting with other people.

If you were exposed and are experiencing symptoms or if you had tested positive to COVID-19, please contact Trees Atlanta to cancel your event reservation and stay home.

By attending this event, you are participating on your own accord and accept possible risks associated with interacting with other people.

Inclement Weather and Cancellation Policy for Programs and Events

Outdoor events are fun in all sorts of weather! Trees Atlanta conducts scheduled events during most periods of inclement weather; however, when extraordinary circumstances warrant, we will modify logistics, reschedule, or cancel events. If an event must be modified, rescheduled, or cancelled, Trees Atlanta will make every effort to notify registered guests by email, social media updates, and/or other means, in a timely manner.

If severe weather or other unforeseen business interruptions cause a change to our programs or events, the company reserves the right to close the facility, choose alternative locations, reschedule or cancel scheduled events on-site or off-site. Please review the refund policy for any paid programming.

Please check the email you received when you registered for your event. It will include the name of the program coordinator to contact should you have questions.

View our updates to our COVID-19 protocol here.