Tree Ambassadors

WSA is proud to partner with Defensores de la Cuenca (Watershed Defenders), a nonprofit dedicated to helping the Latino* community connect with the natural world through knowledge, shared experiences, and opportunities to preserve and defend the Chesapeake Bay watershed for a healthier mind, body and soul.

The partnership is designed to engage the Latino community by forming new connections, not only with residents but also with contractors who make their living working in urban gardens and rural gardens and farms.

Tree Ambassadors, members of Latino community, will be specially trained and equipped to design, install and maintain projects in their own communities. The program, including training and outreach materials, will be offered in Spanish and English.   

*WSA is using the term Latino, rather than Latinex as recommended by Abel Olivo, Executive Director of Defensores de la Cuenca.

Protecting Large Trees

Newly planted trees will take years to reach maturity, so it’s vitally important that we protect our existing trees. Stewards throughout the County are focused on two important actions to protect trees:

Removing Invasive Vines

English ivy and other invasive vines threaten canopy trees. Controlling ivy and other invasives is critical to protecting our existing tree canopy. You can learn more about English ivy and how to control it on our website. Dozens of Watershed Stewards are focusing their communities on controlling ivy and installing a “ring of life” around canopy trees in their communities. A new resident group, Save our Trees, is being co-led by Steward Nina Fisher and advised by Steward Candidate MaryAnne Marbury to focus entirely on saving trees in the City of Annapolis.

Tree Mulch Matters!

Mulch Matters to Steward Annie Hillary! In partnership with the Master Gardeners, Annie has launched a campaign to stop volcano mulching in our communities. In addition to presentations, Annie has created outreach materials in English and Spanish.

DEIJ - Nature as a Healing Space

The environmental community everywhere in the United States has struggled to make protection of the planet the work of all people. WSA is doing just that. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice is more than a series of words for WSA and more than our vision and values statement – it’s baked into what we do.

It began in 2014 with our first Strategic Plan that included outreach and engagement of underserved communities throughout the County – from the urban north to the rural south. Last fall we partnered with the Anne Arundel County Public Library system on an Environmental Justice Panel that featured a distinguished panel and participation from attendees.

This year, WSA hired Terryl Acker-Carter as Community Engagement Specialist to build relationships in underserved communities and establish buy-in for tree planting and other projects. His goal is to bring Nature to all, regardless of background or financial capacity, in the firm belief that Nature heals. Terryl has helped design programs that touch not only on tree planting but also on sensory experiences for kids, helping them to connect with Nature.

"I want to make sure that communities are the center of the work that we do. Community voices should be elevated and at the forefront of the programs that we offer and develop,” he said. “As I work with congregations, schools, and other community hubs across the county, it is imperative to first listen to their environmental and educational needs and then collaboratively build programs and install projects to build more authentic relationships with those communities."

Mindfulness is at the core of the program Terryl has been delivering, especially to the littlest future environmentalists.

“I love working with people of all ages but working with the little kids has been a fun experience,” he said. “It’s amazing when a little one sees a pinecone for the first time or stops to smell the aroma of certain plants. I know we’re reached them when a smile stretches across their faces, and they can't contain their excitement! That one experience can influence their lives in ways they can’t even imagine now.”

New This Year: Replant Annapolis!

The City of Annapolis has lost over 100 acres of forest canopy since 2011. Based on Replant Anne Arundel, Replant Annapolis will engage Annapolis-based Tree Troopers to plant hundreds of trees within the City of Annapolis.   We’re focused on helping Annapolis achieve its goal to reach 50% urban tree canopy by 2036.  

For more information about Replant Annapolis, please contact Restoration Technician Rob Pavlik (rpavlik@aacps.org).