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Volunteers clean up the Richmond District; rock star tree planter is honored


Charlie Starbuck with Mayor Ed Lee. Photo courtesy of DPW

Last Saturday in honor or Arbor Day, a few hundred volunteers came out in the Richmond District to help the city’s Community Clean Team with a neighborhood cleanup.

Volunteers planted trees, worked on landscaping and gardening projects, painted over graffiti, and removed litter. We even had some celebrity volunteers on hand – San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and Richmond District Supervisor Eric Mar.

The event also included a ceremonial tree planting in honor of San Francisco resident Charlie Starbuck, who has single-handedly planted over 7,000 trees nearly every weekend over the past 30 years. Wow!

The signature tree, a Cork Oak, was planted along the median on Geary between 31st and 32nd Avenues, near George Washington High School.

This is only the sixth ceremonial tree planting that DPW and the City have sponsored. Past honorees include Rosa Parks, Cesar Chavez, Ruth Asawa, Dr. Ellen Wolf, and Dana Woldow.

“Trees are more than just beautiful, they are a critical part of our city’s effort to provide its residents with a green and livable city,” said Mayor Edwin M. Lee. “A healthy and vibrant urban forest is a gift we can give to the future generations of our City. I am proud to support San Francisco’s Arbor Day, which focuses on not just planting trees, but maintaining them.”

Saturday’s event also included an Eco-fair, featuring activities like planter box building, bucket rides, information on recycling and composting, a petting area for ‘landscaping’ goats, and other family activities.

Thanks to all the volunteers that came out to help beautify our neighborhood last weekend!

Sarah B.