Squirrel Forest Campaign (US version)
Here is some special advice for a Squirrel Forest Campaign
'made in the USA'
from our Squirrel Forest Campaign supporter Grace Elizabeth Cardinalli (San Francisco).
- Contact local Department of Forestry, regional park office or local Bureau of Land Management (all can be located on the internet), informing them about the project to be undertaken. Request any forms to be completed prior to seeding.
- From the above organisation(s) request a site on which you are allowed to collect suitable tree seeds.
- In addition request a site on which there are old conifers and where undergrowth is scheduled to create mixed forests. Ask if a forest seeding or planting day is already scheduled.
- Contact local elementary school district office(s) and make an appointment to meet the superintendent or assistant superintendent.
- Go prepared: Take a written "Squirrel Forest Campaign Proposal" with you which you can present to the school board or a parent/teacher meeting.
- Part of the proposal is to enlist teachers and/or parents as leaders of the project. Consider 2 co-chairs for the project.
Factors for the leaders/co-chairs to consider
- necessary parental permission slips
- breakfast and lunch at the site for volunteers (potluck or donations to purchase food)
- donations to purchase other supplies deemed necessary, for example trowels, buckets etc.
- transportation, for example school bus or car/van pools
- optional overnight camping
Once the project has been approved by the school, all arrangements have been made by the leaders/co-chairs and a date set, contact the local Department of Forestry, regional park office or local Bureau of Land Management to confirm the date. Request a site/campsite for base camp. If there is to be overnight camping, ask the park to provide a free campsite if possible.
Prepare the time schedule well in advance so that seeding can take place from mid-October to early December.