Growing the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards

By Soul Reed, Urban Forestry Assistant

Justin Stanton along with EWF staff and interns identify a potential planting site at Houck Middle School. (Left to right: Taylor Walker, Paige Wentzel, Jamie Myrick-Duckett, Justin Stanton, Soul Reed, Claudia Vega, David Mora-Flores)

Outreach coordination is in full swing at Elderberry Wisdom Farm (EWF) driven by a clear goal: connecting students and their families with native trees that will shade and cool them in the heat of summer. By combining workforce development, ecological restoration, and community partnerships, EWF is planting more than trees, it is cultivating knowledge, responsibility, and resilience that could benefit Salem’s families for generations to come.

EWF’s team has modified its Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Workforce Development Program to include Urban Forestry. Native American perspectives on land stewardship emphasize reciprocity, respect for natural systems, and the interconnectedness of people and the environment. Supported by grant funding, the initiative provides free native trees to Title I schools in Salem and Keizer while creating meaningful opportunities for students to connect with the natural world on their school grounds and in their own neighborhoods. The team anticipates that this will inspire a new generation of diverse environmental leaders by expanding equitable access to green spaces.

Urban Forestry Coordinator David Mora is working closely with Salem-Keizer School District's facilities and maintenance leadership to develop planting timelines for the 2026–2027 academic year. This summer’s cohort of TEK Interns are also participating in site assessments, lesson plan development and outreach efforts to middle and high schools that will participate through 2028. Building these partnerships began with school administrators, whose support is essential for approvals and coordination with facilities staff.

Successful tree planting requires careful planning and collaboration. Justin Stanton, a member of the school district's maintenance team, is working alongside EWF staff to identify optimal planting locations and ensure site conditions support long-term tree health. Species selection, planting season, handling practices, and ongoing maintenance all contribute to a successful transplant. Through this effort, EWF aims to cultivate a more biodiverse urban canopy across Salem and Keizer by distributing and planting 1,000 native pine, cedar, maple, fir, and oak trees, along with a variety of native shrubs and pollinator plants that will serve as companion plants in tree canopies.

Beyond the logistics of planting, EWF is committed to building lasting relationships within each school community by partnering with educators and student organizations to develop "Tree Ambassadors," students who take an active role in environmental stewardship and foster a lasting sense of ownership, responsibility, and care for local green spaces.

Collaboration with school administrators, facilities staff, educators, and students is expected to strengthen the partnership between EWF and local Title I schools, creating a network of engaged youth and sustainable community impact. As the program grows, Elderberry Wisdom Farm envisions a future in which every student can develop a meaningful relationship with the land and see themselves as a steward of their environment.

By combining workforce development, ecological restoration, and community partnerships, EWF is planting more than trees, it is cultivating knowledge, responsibility, and resilience that will benefit communities for generations to come.

Schools and organizations interested in restoration, conservation, or volunteer service-learning partnerships are encouraged to contact Urban Forestry Coordinator David Mora at david@elderberrywisdom.org.