Fairfax ReLeaf

Nicole B 5 months ago

Great concept, but the execution of getting people their saplings is just frustrating chaos. If you work during normal weekday hours and can't make the initial pickup time, you have to wait for random emails about being in the next "batch", or sometimes same-day calls. Then the coordinator puts out annoyed-sounding emails telling people not to email because she gets too many emails. Well, that's because people have no idea what's happening when! The organization, transparency and communication for the seedling program are pretty poor. Hire a PM or have a staff member get a PM certification. I have no idea why this org can't simply put out a calendar or list with all the pickup dates transparently listed, and let people sign up for their preferred date and time. There are a ton of good online tools that plenty of other orgs use to schedule people in this way. NoVA Natives and Earth Sangha have both used SignUp Genius very successfully, for example. I have no idea why there are people who insist on being disorganized and resist using better tools and comms, then get annoyed at everyone who just want to know what's happening. The program deserves much better execution.

john peterson 2 years ago

Fairfax ReLeaf and its Director provided a great service to our HOA in assisting with planning a reforestation effort and providing the trees and, shrubs for planting as well as on site guidance to a large number of volunteers on how to plant them. Plastic tubes to protect the seedlings from wildlife browsing and stakes for them were also provided by ReLeaf. Through no fault of ReLeaf there were some residents who expressed significant issues with the project as it came to the planting date. Communications within the community and not under ReLeaf’s purview helped generate their concerns.

Jyl-Kyng 2 years ago

I am grateful to have an organization like ReLeaf so close to home in Fairfax. The ordering system for their "free" native Virginia sapling trees and bushes is easy and picking up my seedlings at their office building is a snap. If I have any questions about my order, need to know how to plant trees or even want to change my pick up time, the staff is always supportive, understanding and accommodating. I am happy ReLeaf'er and I highly recommend this wonderful organization to anyone that wants to help replenish Virginia's native plants and trees.

Sharon Doetsch-Kidder 2 years ago

Just got my second bunch of free trees and shrubs from Fairfax ReLeaf. They are so generous and easy to work with. The plants I got in spring are doing great, and I’m excited to add more during this fall planting season. I appreciate all the hard work they do distributing free native trees and shrubs.

William Gock 2 years ago

Fairfax ReLeaf’s mission and work is very commendable - however the woman they sent to manage the Saturday October 28th project in the Poplar Tree Estates common area was absolutely out of line. This project was - and still is - a disputed issue between the HOA and residents with adjacent property. When she was politely informed a discussion needed to take place, she told residents to stand out of the way because she had a job to do. Throughout the project, she continued to make condescending remarks about the residents objecting to the work, including to youth volunteers. She had zero business casting judgement on a situation she knew nothing about, in an area she does not live in. If anything, given the climate of the situation, she should have seriously questioned if moving forward on the project was the right move for the organization she represents. On that note, I hope Fairfax ReLeaf vets their future projects closer to avoid situations they may not want to find themselves in the middle of.