Urban tree stewards to be watchdogs for dangerous park trees in Montgomery County parks -Montgomery County, MD

Urban tree stewards to be watchdogs for dangerous park trees in Montgomery County parks

When a major storm sweeps through Montgomery County, a corps of volunteers will be the first responders to identify damaged or dangerous trees in county parks.

The Montgomery County Parks Department's urban tree stewards program is seeking volunteers to help monitor trees that might be hazardous to parks visitors, said organizer Jeanne Kavinski, an urban forester with the county Parks Department.

"I think it's an excellent way to involve people in the park experience," Kavinski said. "And while you're out there walking you're learning about all the benefits trees can provide."

The volunteers will assist county officials in keeping tabs on the thousands of trees that grow on 34,000 acres of parkland, Kavinski said. Such inspection currently is the job of three parks employees.