akaKenSmith.com

The concept: Build a group of 250 donors who will each contribute the cost of one native spring-flowering tree a year for five years. Plant care-free native spring-flowering trees in great numbers along the river in South Bend. Within a few years the flowering season for dogwoods and redbuds would become very extravagant. The river during those weeks would become a very desirable destination, among the most noteworthy sights to be seen in the region. Beauty leading to renewed community pride, new economic activity…

Native trees

• Low needs for care
• Longevity and high rate of survival

Spring flowering

• Extravagance of display in spring
• Simultaneous flowering before their leaves come out–a very fancy showing

Likely varieties

• Dogwood
• Redbud

Budget

• A group of 250 donors
• Commitment to sponsor one tree a year for five years
• Planting costs covered by the city? By grants?

Research needed

• Extra care needed the first year after planting? Extra watering?
• Which particular native species are best? Which varieties of those species?
• How to evaluate the best places to plant these varieties?

Likely or possible partners

• City of South Bend
• Neighboring towns along the river.
  • Do the other towns and the county handle their own projects or is it a regional project?
• The county.
• Botanical team.
• Landscaping and planting team.
• Fund-raising team.
• Publicity team.
• Donate-a-tree campaign can be shared by community groups–churches, youth groups, schools, seniors groups, etc.

Ways for people to feel a shared sense of pride and ownership in the project

• Website of donors
• Photo gallery contributed by community members
• Annual photo or painting prize for showing off the spring flowering along the river
• Other ways?

Strategy ideas

• Start with one stretch of the river so the impact is visible very soon?
• Plant somewhat larger trees from the start?

Brainstorming about other aspects of the project

• Link to Bike the Bend or other community event?
• Draw the concept out into neighborhoods with more trees or with front-yard displays of bulbs that flower at the same time?
• The seed of a springtime festival of some kind?

This outline also appears in an online version that will reflect new ideas and updates, posted here. It will not display in Internet Explorer.