Ward 8 Woods Conservancy

PARK STEWARD PROGRAM - The Park Steward program provides income, meaningful work and paid training to residents who face barriers to employment. Park Stewards remediate decades of neglect of the parks in Ward 8 by removing trash and invasive species. In 2023 they collectively worked 3,941 hours. Together with volunteers, they removed 249,000 pounds of trash from public parklands, including 1,858 tires and 5,539 trash bags filled, and cut invasive vines from 1,700 trees. Stewards also completed paid training in first aid, invasive species identification and removal, and trail natural surface maintenance.

OUTREACH PROGRAM/#CLEANITCLAIMIT Our Outreach Coordinator spreads awareness about the organization an its work and organizes residents to combat littering and dumping.

SCHOOL GARDEN PROGRAM The garden program at Martin Luther King Elementary School engages students in grade PK to 5 in planting, tending, and harvested vegetables, herbs and flowers as part of the after-school program.