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Council Watch
City's tree-planting plan aims to make SJ greener
Mayor's office seeks volunteers to help city reach its goal of 2,000 trees
By Jessica Lyons
The city of San Jose is doing more than just hugging trees as the millennium rounds the corner, it's planting trees--2,000 of them.
Although the program is still in its early planning stages, city officials say they hope it will take root with San Joseans.
Mayor Ron Gonzales' communication director, David Vossbrink, says the city plans to plant the first group of trees by the end of the year, and the 2,000th tree by mid-spring 2000.
"The goal is to support our existing city trees and neighborhood trees, and to improve the quality of the neighborhoods and visible locations," Vossbrink says.
The project, aptly titled "2000 Trees for the Millennium" has a symbolic value as well.
"It's a way of saying that we're taking the time to think ahead and look at long-term planning. It shows our commitment to the earth," Vossbrink says.
Trees will be selected to fit in with their surroundings, and will be planted as saplings, Vossbrink says. Palm tree saplings are highly unlikely.
Locations are up for grabs, too. Neighborhoods, school yards, churches, park corners and street medians are all fair game.
"As long as the end result is a positive visual effect," Vossbrink says.
Currently, the mayor's office is looking for volunteers, both to plant the trees and to ensure that they grow where they are planted.
"We're really counting on volunteers to help us make this thing work," Vossbrink says. "It could be a Boy Scout troop, a sewing circle, a church group, a neighborhood group--anyone who is interested in working with a group."
Groups can be anywhere from five to a dozen people, and individuals who don't have a group to plant with can join up with other green-minded residents. Glenites who aren't afraid to get down and dirty and do their part to keep Willow Glen green can call the city's Parks and Recreation department, 408.277.4573. A ribbon-cutting event will be planned within the next few months to celebrate the start of the project. Keep an ear to the ground for details.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
