Note: the hands on training day is Saturday September 28, 9 AM – noon.

Interested in learning more about trees? Want to learn how to identify tree species in your neighborhood and implement proper pruning practices? Come attend the Citizen Pruner volunteer training led by the University of Minnesota and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Forestry Department. No prior experience or knowledge of pruning is necessary, and all pruning equipment will be provided for the training.

In a two-session training course, you’ll learn basic tree identification, restricted species, fundamentals of pruning, and receive hands-on field practice. Once you’ve completed the training, you’ll be able to sign up as part of the Kingfield Orchard Team and attend pruning events throughout Minneapolis, where you can apply your new skills and help our community’s trees.

The first training session (indoor), will be held on Thursday, September 26^th, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Minneapolis Parks & Recreation Southside Operations Center, 3800 Bryant Ave. S. The second session (outdoor field work) meets Saturday, September 28^th, from 9 a.m. to noon.

The cost of training is $25 (If financial assistance is needed, contact Calli at CJohnson@minneapolisparks.org). To register visit: http://www.mntca.umn.edu/citizen-pruner/minneapolis-citizen-pruner. Questions? Contact Calli at: CJohnson@minneapolisparks.org.

Citizen Pruners are responsible for submitting 10 volunteer hours a year or attending 3 city-hosted events, and must recertify every 3 years by completing an updated recertification assessment.