Our Youth Green Team is a part of Friends of Grand Rapids Parks’ seasonal crew, helping us water and maintain trees from June through August. Our 2024 Green Team consists of nine fantastic individuals with ages ranging between 14 to 21 years old.
Each day, the crew takes off from our office on their bikes, riding between 2 and 8 miles to their watering locations. Depending on the day, they head out to water trees in the Southtown, Roosevelt Park, Black Hills, and MLK Park neighborhoods. Altogether, they water the 850+ trees in these neighborhoods that Friends of Grand Rapids Parks have planted within the last two years!
Once they arrive at the neighborhood they’re focusing on for the day; they use a hydrant hookup to fill around fifty 5-gallon buckets with water. They then ride their bikes to a tree, wait for the truck and trailer to pull up, retrieve 2 buckets from the trailer, water the tree, and repeat throughout the neighborhood.
Watering trees is hard work, but this fantastic crew makes it fun and an enjoyable experience for all!
Friends of Grand Rapids Parks is an equal opportunity provider. This program is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Urban & Community Forestry Program.
About the Team:
Phoenix
Phoenix’s career goals:
I’d like to have a career outside working with plants, whether in forestry or a greenhouse. I love hands-on jobs.
The best part about Green Team:
I love that I get to interact with trees every day and help the community create green spaces for everyone to benefit from.
Favorite trees:
I love mulberry and serviceberry trees.
This is Phoenix’s 4th year on the Green Team.
Jaden
Jaden’s career goals:
I just graduated from high school this year and am about to head off to college. I’ve always had an interest in nature and love working outdoors.
The best part about Green Team:
I loved working around Grand Rapids and helping it look so much better by adding different varieties of trees. One of my favorite parts about this job is the opportunities to work with other green teams.
Favorite tree:
My favorite tree is a Ginkgo!
This is Jaden’s 4th year on the Green Team.
Karina
Karina’s career goals:
I’m interested in going to college for agricultural landscaping. I love learning about nature and how it affects communities!
The best part about Green Team:
I always enjoy biking! I hope to continue working with returning members and new ones.
Favorite tree:
My favorite tree species is the Catalpa tree.
This is Karina’s 3rd year on the Green Team.
Dayton
Dayton’s career goals:
I’m interested in urban environment, account management, and real estate.
The best part about Green Team:
I enjoy the people on the team, the bike rides, watering, and just being outside. It feels nice, especially after being in school and home all day.
Favorite outdoor activities:
Basketball, football, hanging out and having conversations with neighbors.
This is Dayton’s 3rd year on the Green Team, and he assists our team with tree plantings as a site leader.
Daequan
Daequan’s career goals:
I’d love to know the community more and do work that benefits the environment.
The best part about Green Team:
Getting more outdoor skills and flexible activities.
Favorite outdoor activity:
Riding bikes.
This is Daequan’s 1st year on the Green Team.
Abby
Abby’s career goals:
One interest I want to pursue in the future is organizing for students and my community. I enjoy talking to new people to hear about new opportunities!
The best part about Green Team:
I enjoy being outside in nature. It brings me joy to water trees and see how I and other youth advocate for a healthier environment!
Favorite outdoor activity:
Visiting Millenium Park.
This is Abby’s 1st year on the Green Team.
Anna
About Anna & her career goals:
I love reading, playing video and card games, watching movies and TV, listening to music, and being outside! I plan to go into elementary education, but I am still interested in plants and gardening as a hobby.
The best part about Green Team:
I’m excited to meet new people, learn about plants, and get some exercise with the Green Team.
Favorite outdoor activities:
Kayaking and hiking.
This is Anna’s 1st year on the Green Team.
Mi’Jhawn
About Mi’Jhawn:
I love to play piano in my spare time!
The best part about Green Team:
Gaining a better understanding of how to plant and water trees and learn more about how they grow.
Favorite outdoor activity:
Biking.
This is Mi’Jhawn’s 1st year on the Green Team.
