Community Events

The Grand Junction Forestry Division hosts a multitude of community events each year including community tree plantings, volunteer events, the Annual Arbor Day Seedling Delivery, and the Southwest Arbor Fest.

Community Tree Planting

Grand Junction's urban forestry program invites the community to join them in a day of giving back. The goal of the program is to identify neighborhoods with tree planting opportunities and work with their local community leaders to properly plant trees in locations that will encourage stewardship, community buy-in, and will also grow the community's urban canopy. Qualified tree planting areas include street right-of-way easements, common spaces, and parks (not focused on planting on private property). The program was started in 2016 with the first tree planting in the center medians at the Redlands Ridges, which enhanced the scenic drive along the main road.

Nominate an Area for the Community Tree Planting

If you would like to nominate an area for a Community Tree Planting project, please send an email to forestry@gjcity.org providing background on the project you'd like to see happen. This nomination is open to all community members residing in Grand Junction City Limits.

Arbor Day Seedling Deliveries

Seedling deliveries started in 2020 with the COVID-19 canceling the Southwest Arbor Fest hosted by Grand Junction Parks and Recreation every April. To help continue the celebration during the pandemic, the City decided to bring Southwest Arbor Fest to residents through seedling deliveries. With positive feedback from the community, the Forestry Division anticipates continuing with deliveries for years to come. Learn more about the program.

Southwest Arbor Fest

Every April, the City of Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Department hosts the Annual Southwest Arbor Fest at Lincoln Park. This event is the City's official Arbor Day celebration that helps support Grand Junction's recognition as a Tree City USA. Community members can enjoy craft beer, food trucks, live music, and participate in activities that promote proper tree care including a tree giveaway, demonstrations, notable tree tours, tree identification workshops, and more. Learn more about the Southwest Arbor Fest.

Community Education Opportunities

Education on proper tree species selection, all aspects of tree care, and insects and disease issues are important to the City of Grand Junction’s Forestry Division, Forestry Board, and CSU Extension, Tri-River Area. Throughout the year the City of Grand Junction, Forestry Board, and CSU Extension offer educational opportunities to the public and to licensed tree care companies. Follow Grand Junction Parks and Recreation and the Tri-River Area CSU Extension Facebook pages to stay up to date on current events.

Native Plant Classes

In partnership with the Tri-River Area CSU Extension, the Native Plant Master’s program teaches native plant identification, the impact of weeds on the natural environment, and landscape sustainability using native plants. Classes usually include ½ day Discover Wildflower hikes with common names, Botany 101 for beginners and review, and a 3-day class site visit to places such as the Colorado National Monument, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and the Grand Mesa National Forest where you learn about 50 plants per site. To find out when the next course will be offered, please call Tri-River Area CSU Extension at 970-244-1834.

Learn More About Native Plant Classes

Demonstration Days

This event is typically held in mid-May at the CSU Extension office, located at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. The day is filled with a variety of demonstrations from gardening and landscape techniques, to information from community members, master gardeners, green industry professionals, non-profits, and CSU Extension agents. Visit the Tri-River Area CSU Extension website for event dates.

Master Gardener Program

The Colorado Master Gardener Program is a volunteer network that enhances Coloradan's quality of life by, extending knowledge-based education throughout Colorado communities to nurture successful gardeners; helping individuals make informed decisions about plants to protect neighborhood environments; committed to using environmentally appropriate horticulture principles to empower gardeners, develop partnerships, and build stronger communities. Any member of the community is eligible to become a Master Gardener. Visit the CSU Extension website to apply. Applications are available in mid to late October for the following year's classes that begin in January.