Events
Tiny Forest Planting at Fonticello Park
Join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to plant a tiny forest at Fonticello Park on March 15. A “tiny forest” is a dense planting designed to increase biodiversity and grow into a forest ecosystem quickly.
International Day of Forests Outdoor Learning Classroom
Southside ReLeaf invites you to join us on International Day of Forests for an Outdoor Learning Classroom at the new park along Ernest Road. All ages are welcome!
Swansboro West Tree Planting
Join the Swansboro West Civic Association for their first tree planting of the year in Swansboro West on February 15.
Black History Month 2025 in the Richmond Metro Area
A visual guide to events, exhibitions, Black-owned restaurants and businesses, and other Black History Month happenings in the Richmond Metro area.
Day of Service: Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
Help us honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a day of service at the new park at Ernest Road on January 20.
Swansboro West Tree Planting
Join the Swansboro West Civic Association for their first tree planting of the year in Swansboro West on January 18.
Day of Service: Moving Richmond Forward Together
Southside ReLeaf invites you to join us as we support the "Day of Service: Moving Richmond Forward Together" initiative of incumbent Mayor of Richmond, Danny Avula!
Swansboro West Tree Planting
Join the Swansboro West Civic Association for their last tree planting of the year in Swansboro West on December 21.
Community Workday at Ernest Road - November 30
Southside ReLeaf invites you to join us for a community workday at Ernest Road to remove invasive ivy from the new park space.
Community Workday at Ernest Road - November 21
Southside ReLeaf invites you to join us for a community workday at Ernest Road to remove invasive ivy from the new park space.
Oakwood Park Playground Tree Planting
Join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Virginia Interfaith Power & Light for a tree planting at Oakwood Park Playground on November 16.
Sheep Watch Community Day at Ernest Road Park
Southside ReLeaf invites the community to come explore the new Ernest Road Park and watch a herd of sheep clear invasive ivy from the space.
Oak Grove Playground Tree Planting
Join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Virginia Interfaith Power & Light for a tree planting in the Oak Grove Playground on November 9.
Fonticello Park Tree Planting
Join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Friends of Fonticello Park for a tree planting at Carter Jones Park / Fonticello Park on October 26.
Swansboro West Lunch & Learn
Southside ReLeaf invites you to join us for a free Lunch and Learn in Swansboro West. Together we’ll learn, engage, and take action towards a greener future.
Carter Jones Park Tree Planting
Join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Friends of Fonticello Park for a tree planting at Carter Jones Park / Fonticello Park on October 19 as part of Richmond Tree Week.
Community Workday at Ernest Road - October 17
Southside ReLeaf invites you to join us for a community workday at Ernest Road on October 17 as part of Richmond Tree Week.
Webinar: Trees for Healthy Communities
Join the Richmond & Henrico Health Districts to learn about health impacts of extreme heat and how trees can help keep communities healthy on October 15 as part of Richmond Tree Week.
Free-A-Tree! Invasive Species Removal Workday at Blackwell Park
Southside ReLeaf invites you to join us as we tend to the invasive species encroaching on the green spaces at Blackwell Park as part of Richmond Tree Week.
Swansboro West Tree Planting
Join the Swansboro West Civic Association and the Richmond Tree Stewards for a tree planting in Swansboro West on October 14 as part of Richmond Tree Week.
Trees and Watersheds: A Walking Tour, Tree Care & Planting
Join Reedy Creek Coalition and Local Ecotype Richmond Natives (LERN) on October 13 for a guided walk and workday in Crooked Branch Ravine Park as part of Richmond Tree Week.
Tree Planting + Care Workday at Blackwell Elementary School
Southside ReLeaf invites you to join us as we plant new trees and provide tree maintenance to young trees at Blackwell Elementary School as part of Richmond Tree Week.
Richmond Tree Stewards Southside Tree Giveaway
Richmond Tree Stewards are giving away 500 trees to residents in zip codes 23234, 23224, and 23225. Planting assistance is also available upon request.
Richmond Tree Week Kick-off: Tree Planting Ceremony, Tree Giveaway, & Tree Care Workday
Join Richmond Urban Forestry Division and Parks & Rec to kick off Richmond Tree Week and celebrate Richmond's 32nd year as a Tree City USA with an honorary tree planting and giveaway. Stay for a tree care workday!
Tree Pruning Workshop
Join Arborists with the City of Richmond's Urban Forestry Division for a hands-on workshop on how to prune and care for young trees on October 11 as part of Richmond Tree Week.
Richmond Tree Week 2024
Richmond Tree Week is an event series from October 11th - 20th, focusing on all things TREES and how important they are to our community. Don't miss workshops, volunteer workdays, events, and more!
Greening Petersburg Open House
The City of Petersburg will host a “Greening Petersburg: Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives” Open House from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Petersburg Public Library Event Center.
Community Workday at Ernest Road - September 19
Southside ReLeaf invites you to join us for a community workday at Ernest Road on the third Thursday of each month, September through October.
Community Workday at Ernest Road - August 22
Southside ReLeaf invites you to join us as we clean up a beautiful natural space by removing fallen tree debris!
Community Workday at Ernest Road - July 31
If you haven't heard the good news yet, Southside ReLeaf is working with the city to bring five new parks online in South Richmond! One of those parks will be along Ernest Road, but this site is currently overrun with invasive vines like English Ivy. We are seeking volunteers on July 30 and 31 to help us clear a trail that will provide better access to the space. This will be the first step in transforming this space into a beautiful new park.
When are the workdays?
We are seeking volunteers on Tuesday, July 30 and Wednesday, July 31 from 10:30 am to 2 pm to support English Ivy removal. Training on how to remove these invasive vines will be provided from 10:30 - 11:30 am on the first workday, July 30. This volunteer activity will involve bending and kneeling as ivy is removed by hand. Volunteers are encouraged but not required to sign up for both workdays.
Where are the workdays?
Using your GPS, navigate to 4701 Ernest Rd. Parking will be in a residential neighborhood on the street. Parking anywhere nearby is sufficient, but please do not block driveways or mailboxes.
What should I bring?
Please wear long pants and closed toe shoes. Please bring a refillable water bottle and bug spray. Gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own pair. You may want to bring a long sleeve shirt for protection from bugs and scrapes (the temperature under the canopy will be significantly lower, so it may actually be bearable to wear it despite the heat).
Do I need to sign up?
Yes! Please sign up using CFengage so we can be sure to bring enough supplies for everyone. If you have any questions about these workdays, please email Lisa at lisa@southsidereleaf.org.
Community Workday at Ernest Road - July 30
If you haven't heard the good news yet, Southside ReLeaf is working with the city to bring five new parks online in South Richmond! One of those parks will be along Ernest Road, but this site is currently overrun with invasive vines like English Ivy. We are seeking volunteers on July 30 and 31 to help us clear a trail that will provide better access to the space. This will be the first step in transforming this space into a beautiful new park.
When are the workdays?
We are seeking volunteers on Tuesday, July 30 and Wednesday, July 31 from 10:30 am to 2 pm to support English Ivy removal. Training on how to remove these invasive vines will be provided from 10:30 - 11:30 am on the first workday, July 30. This volunteer activity will involve bending and kneeling as ivy is removed by hand. Volunteers are encouraged but not required to sign up for both workdays.
Where are the workdays?
Using your GPS, navigate to 4701 Ernest Rd. Parking will be in a residential neighborhood on the street. Parking anywhere nearby is sufficient, but please do not block driveways or mailboxes.
What should I bring?
Please wear long pants and closed toe shoes. Please bring a refillable water bottle and bug spray. Gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own pair. You may want to bring a long sleeve shirt for protection from bugs and scrapes (the temperature under the canopy will be significantly lower, so it may actually be bearable to wear it despite the heat).
Do I need to sign up?
Yes! Please sign up using CFengage so we can be sure to bring enough supplies for everyone. If you have any questions about these workdays, please email Lisa at lisa@southsidereleaf.org.
Herbal Medicinal Workshop
Richmond Grows Gardens is hosting its first Herbal Workshop at the Southside Oak Grove Community Garden!
This event will take place on Sunday, April 28 from 1-4 pm with a discussion about herbal use, resiliency, and how to take more agency with our health and wellness.
Volunteers will learn how to care for the plants and how plants can care for us in return. Folks will experience an herbal tea tasting and receive an informational zine about the herbs we are growing. We will also plant herbs from our greenhouse in the community garden bed!
All our welcome, however, folks from the Oak Grove Community Garden and neighborhood will be prioritized first. If you are interested in participating, please email rggamericorps@gmail.com.