2022 Tree Stewards meeting at the Woodward House Nursery. Photo by Terry Ahlert
New Mexico Tree Stewards
The Tree Steward Program is an expansive educational opportunity designed for people who love trees, love their community, and want to support the healthy growth of both.
Over 14 weeks, you will explore the many facets of urban forestry in a collaborative volunteer training program taught by experts in the field, and build relationships with others who appreciate the benefits of a healthy urban forest. Tree Stewards learn to identify our common planted trees and how to care for them.
We expect Tree Stewards to apply what they've learned to care for the trees in their neighborhood and educate others to do the same. We offer many volunteer opportunities for stewards to apply what they have learned. By volunteering, you'll contribute to growing New Mexico's tree cover, while benefiting from continuing education—what we know about trees is constantly growing and changing!
Tree Stewards Calendar
2021 Tree Stewards Graduation. Photo by Terry Ahlert
More About Tree Stewards
This is a course in “Urban Forestry”. Participants working through the program are eager to become a NM Tree Steward. These volunteers work to increase the tree canopy in their community and the health of the trees providing it. Whether you live in a city, town or village, the trees need your help.
There are four requirements for becoming a tree steward.
- You must have a love of trees and a desire to know more about them and how best to care for them.
- You must be willing to learn from and partner with other tree advocates in your community, especially those who are largely responsible for the community’s trees.
- You must be willing to share what you are learning and know about trees with others in your community.
- Because this program is a hybrid and relies on technology for a significant portion of the curriculum, you will need adequate internet and an up-to-date computer.
Overall, the program is comprised of both online and in-person classes, workshops, and field trips. Tree planting, maintenance and how to better educate the public about trees will be covered during this program. Participants can expect to expand their tree knowledge and experience as they discover and begin to participate in a statewide network of tree people.
After completing the training, Tree Steward volunteers are equipped to partner with Extension Master Gardeners, educational institutions, government organizations, local businesses and homeowners as they work to expand and care for their community’s urban forest. Volunteer opportunities include planting, pruning, maintaining and monitoring new trees. It will also include educating others about trees.
The cost is $150.
For any questions outside of the curriculum and that are not included on our website, please email education@treenm.org.
Here are some tips for filling out your application:
- Please use the green button below to download the 2026 Tree Steward Application.
- Before you start to fill out the application, save a copy on your personal device's drive (not just your web browser).
- Fill out the application, saving your work after each question to make sure your device is saving your changes to your drive.
- Save an extra copy of the application when you finish filling it out and email it to education@treenm.org, or print a hard copy and mail it to TNMs physical address (in the footer of this webpage).
- You may also print the application, fill it out in legible handwriting and send it to TNMs physical address (in the footer of this webpage).