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.