Sniff a Tree, Hug a Volunteer
Spring is a magical time. Everything is waking up, the air smells like possibilities, and the Elizabeth River Trail feels like it’s stretching its arms after a long nap. It’s easily one of my favorite seasons out here, though fall gives it a serious run for its money, (I love a good jacket moment!). Spring also means the start of trail beautification, and although coordinating so many trail projects can feel, at times, overwhelming, the benefits more than make up for any stress.
With spring comes blooming flowers, fresh energy, and a flurry of trail projects. There was one particularly hectic week toward the end of March when we were feeling the stress of meetings, presentations, and planning. Lucky for the entire team, Thursday that week included a beautification day with 9th graders from Nansemond Suffolk Academy. Although I was still at work, being outside, interacting with plants, and sharing my passion with these students was like a cool breeze on a hot day. It reaffirmed something I already knew: that time spent outdoors lowers your blood pressure, can relieve stress, and is beneficial for our mental health. One of my favorite plant facts is that trees release a chemical called phytoncides. These chemicals are antibacterial for trees, and when humans breathe them in, it has been shown to help boost our immune system and our mood. If you needed a science-backed reason to hug a tree, and sniff it, there you go!
It’s hard to say for sure if my love of trail beautification projects is just because I love learning about and working with plants, or if it is the volunteers. I’ll go with both. Working on trail projects wouldn’t be possible without volunteers, and certainly wouldn’t be as fun. April is Volunteer Appreciation Month as well as Earth Month, so basically my two favorite things in one month. Along with the students who helped with weeding and vine clearing at Jeff Robertson Park, we completed a garden bed installation with the Rotary Club of Hampton Roads, started a revitalization project in the Managed Meadow with Eco Gardens 757 and the Rotary Club of Norfolk, hosted a table at the Don’t Struggle in Silence 5K, and planted a tree with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Norfolk Chapter, at the Pocket Park.
Did you know that for two years the ERT Foundation was all volunteer-led? Yes! The first capital campaign, the planning of trailheads, amenities and wayfinding signs, the start of ERT events, it was all volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to create something that is continuing to grow and transform with communities around it. To use the most used quote in the volunteer world from Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”
At some point, you may have thought, “what can I do?” It’s a valid question. What’s important to know is that you don’t have to change the world alone; no one ever has. One person can make a difference when they inspire action in others through their work. Don’t worry about trying to do everything. It’s far more important to try and do something.
Time is a precious commodity, full stop. Often, people don’t feel like they have time to help. But volunteering isn’t about one person putting in hundreds of hours of volunteer work a year. An hour here, an hour there, a few times a year all adds up. In the end, you are contributing to the overall success of that cause. It is something that you should be proud of and share with others. Show others it’s possible to volunteer no matter the amount of time, or lack of, they have to give. And, know that you are just as appreciated as any other volunteer.
As April wraps up, Earth Month and Volunteer Appreciation Month may officially end, but that spirit carries on. The work of building and caring for this trail, creating spaces filled with shade, flowers, and community, never really stops, and neither does our gratitude.
The trail has given me so much: connection, purpose, and a way to turn my passion for the environment into action. And thanks to the volunteers, I get to share that passion every single day. So here’s your reminder to go sniff a tree, take a walk, and get your hands in the dirt if you can. And if you’ve got a few hours to spare this year, come join us. You belong out here!
