The recent HPGC June Program offered members and friends an inspiring and informative tour of Tree Pittsburgh, the local nonprofit that works tirelessly to protect and enhance Pittsburgh's marvelous urban forest. Volunteers are essential to its mission, and the tour included an explanation of volunteer opportunities. We're sharing this information in case you missed the tour, but have an interest in helping out the city's trees. For more information about Tree Pittsburgh, visit its website <https://www.treepittsburgh.org/>. *Volunteer with Tree Pittsburgh in the Heritage Nursery!* As our trees continue to grow, we need your help to transplant our young seedlings into larger containers, this will include instruction on proper transplanting techniques as well as some basic information on each species we will be working with. We will be getting our hands dirty but gloves and pruners will be provided. Nursery volunteer Wednesdays and occasional Saturdays continue through late June. See Tree Pittsburgh's events calendar https://www.treepittsburgh.org/calendar/ for details. *Tree Tender courses *Tree Pittsburgh loves all of our volunteers! But for those wanting to take their volunteerism to the next level, we recommend the Tree Tenders Course. Tree Tenders not only help to care for young trees, but garner community support and organize Tree Care Events for their neighbors! Tree Tenders also have the unique opportunity to help us care for young trees through Pruning Workshops. These events are only open to those who have completed our Tree Tenders Course and received their certification. Pruning workshops provide small-group instruction on pruning under the supervision of our ISA Certified Arborists around the City of Pittsburgh. We also offer Tree Tenders certification for facilities management, municipal employees, and other groups. Tree Tenders Courses are intended for groups 16 and over. For information on Tree Tenders Courses for youth, reach out to Education Coordinator Maeve Rafferty at maeve@treepittsburgh.org. You'll find general information about Tree Tenders classes here <https://www.treepittsburgh.org/tree-tenders-volunteer-program/>, and specific info and registration for 2023 classes below. Saturday Aug 26 <https://secure.givelively.org/event/friends-of-the-pittsburgh-urban-forest/tree-tender-course-with-upstream-pgh-august-2023> Saturday Dec 2 <https://secure.givelively.org/event/friends-of-the-pittsburgh-urban-forest/tree-tender-course-december-2023> *Seed Collection Workshops* For anyone interested in propagating trees or shrubs from seed, or in assisting Tree Pittsbrugh's nursery by seed collecting, we have the following series of classes and workshops on our campus this year: *Seed Collection 1: SummerBerries June 7, evening program <https://secure.givelively.org/event/friends-of-the-pittsburgh-urban-forest/seed-collection-1-summer-berries-june-2023>* Are you a lover of nature with a basic knowledge of woody plant ID? Are you looking for a way to help a greater cause while enjoying the great outdoors? Please join us for the first of two seed collection training sessions we'll be holding this collecting season (Seed Collection 1: Summer Berries). You'll learn basic seed biology, tree/ shrub species identification tips, fruiting times, signs of ripening to watch for, responsible collection, and proper storage methods. The focus of our June class will be berries and other early fruit. *Seed Collection 2: Fall Harvest August23, evening program <https://secure.givelively.org/event/friends-of-the-pittsburgh-urban-forest/seed-collection-2-fall-harvest-august-2023>* Are you a lover of nature with a basic knowledge of woody plant ID? Are you looking for a way to help a greater cause while enjoying the great outdoors? Please join us for the second of our seed collection series this year, *focusing on fall-ripening fruits and nuts*. You'll learn basic seed biology, tree/ shrub species identification tips, fruiting times, signs of ripening to watch for, responsible collection, and proper storage methods. *Seed Sowing Workshop October14, Saturday am <https://secure.givelively.org/event/friends-of-the-pittsburgh-urban-forest/seed-sowing-workshop-fall-2023>* Roll up your sleeves and learn the basics of growing trees from seed, as well as some handy insider tips from our tree nursery staff. Explore a variety of locally collected seeds and what it takes to propagate them, from seed preparation/treatment, to sowing methods and timing, protection from hungry animals, and, after the wonder of germination, care of seedlings. Then put into practice what you learned by sowing seed to take home and - fingers crossed - coaxing a baby tree to sprout. All seeds and materials will be provided. *Don't forget about the Tree Pittsburgh Summer Solstice Soiree fundraiser on Wednesday, June 21! <https://secure.givelively.org/event/friends-of-the-pittsburgh-urban-forest/solstice-soiree-at-tree-pittsburgh>* -- Highland Park Garden Club, Pittsburgh PA