Spring 2026 Planting Recap!

Team Canopy
May 5
7 min read

Updated: May 6

What do you get when you have an organization with a strong and clear mission, a dedicated board made up of stellar individuals, a dynamic executive director and staff, 357 active and enthusiastic volunteers (339 of them being unique), generous donors and granting agencies who care about urban forests, and four neighborhoods with leadership who understand the value of trees and strong communities?

A spring planting season like no other!

This spring, CanopyBloomington planted 248 native, nursery trees, each one offering potential environmental, health, economic, and social benefits for decades to come. These trees were planted in four neighborhoods which Canopy engaged this past winter, as well as around the new Summit Hill Early Learning Center on the northwest side of Bloomington and 10 replacement trees as part of the City of Bloomington's Tree Assistance Program. In these neighborhoods, 94 households received almost 200 of these trees, planted in their yards, free of charge.

To generate initial interest from residents, Canopy went door-to door, visiting 967 households and held four potlucks in these planting neighborhoods during the winter months leading up to the plantings.

Canopy has been humbled by the interest from our partnering neighborhoods this spring, as well as the outpouring of support from our growing volunteer, partner and donor bases. We stretched ourselves beyond our capacity this spring, and you showed up to support us!

THANK YOU for making our spring planting season such an amazing success ... your success!

Canopy's 2026 Spring Planting Season: By the Numbers

Saturday, March 28 - Walnut Woods & Nearby Neighborhoods - 59 Trees, 62 Volunteers

On this cold but sunny morning in Bloomington, our community came together for a meaningful day of planting as part of the City of Bloomington’s Cool Corridors Project. By early afternoon, 62 dedicated volunteers had transformed Walnut Woods and nearby neighborhoods by planting 59 new trees. The effort placed eight trees in residents’ lawns with the rest lining public sidewalks and spaces to provide shade, beauty, and cooler streets in the years ahead. Residents and volunteers from a wide range of local groups—including Bloomington scout troops, Monroe County 4-H Junior Leaders, the Black Student Union at Indiana University, and the Global Medical Missions Alliance—worked side by side, turning a cool morning into a fun, collective accomplishment rooted in community.

In addition to planting trees, the day was about connection. After the last tree was planted, volunteers gathered to celebrate their good work with food, conversation, and live music from Jason Fickel. The sense of pride and gratitude was evident, with remarks from Canopy staff and Shawn Miya, Bloomington's Assistant Director of Sustainability.

Bayberry was one of the nearby neighborhoods which also received trees. Kate Steger of Bayberry's HOA shared, “Bayberry was gifted with so many new trees! It was a pleasure to work with you, and I deeply appreciated your ongoing support, advice, patience, and encouragement throughout the planning and execution of the project. We are indebted to CanopyBloomington for this beautiful contribution to our property.”

Saturday, April 11 - The Highlands Neighborhood (Pt. 1) - 73 Trees, 131 Volunteers

Because of the high interest in trees from The Highlands, plantings in this neighborhood were divided into two dates. The first Highlands neighborhood planting marked a milestone for CanopyBloomington—our largest single planting to date. Over the course of an energetic morning, 131 volunteers came together to plant 73 trees across the neighborhood, with 39 residents receiving free trees in their yards. The scale of the effort was matched by the spirit behind it, with more than half of the volunteers being members of Indiana University Dance Marathon. They were joined by residents and members of Monroe County 4-H Junior Leaders, Girl Up at Indiana University, and the Islamic Center of Bloomington Youth Group—all united by a shared commitment to community and greener neighborhoods.

The planting was made possible through strong community partnerships and generous support, including Terrick Beitvashahi from The Highlands HOA, funding from the Duke Energy Foundation and ongoing mulch donations and tree storage from Bluestone Tree. Once the final trees were in the ground, volunteers and residents gathered to celebrate with food from Pizza X, live music from Ray Major, and remarks from Canopy staff and Liz Irwin from Duke Energy.

For Highlands residents, the impact was immediate and deeply felt. As Lauren Reed shared, “Thank you so much for all you did (and do!) It was a lovely experience and we are so excited for our trees.” Julie Havill echoed that gratitude: “Thanks to everyone for my beautiful tree! Watching them plant it brought tears to my eyes. I couldn’t have done it by myself and it means so much.”

Saturday, April 18 - Batchelor Heights & Highlands (Pt. 2) Neighborhoods - 54 Trees, 84 Volunteers

What could have been a washout turned into one of the most spirited planting days of the season. In steady, light rain, 84 determined volunteers came together to plant 54 trees, demonstrating just how committed this community is to growing Bloomington’s urban forest. The effort included enthusiastic members of groups from Epsilon Eta, Monroe County 4H Junior Leaders, and local scout troops, alongside residents who were eager to make a difference. In total, 31 residents received free trees, further expanding the reach of this project supported by Duke Energy Foundation.

Rather than dampening the mood, the rain seemed to energize the day. At the end of the planting, residents and volunteers gathered under Canopy’s small tents to celebrate their hard work with live music from Jason Fickel, lunch from Pizza X, and plenty of laughter and conversation. The shared experience of getting wet and muddy only added to the sense of camaraderie. Brynn Granger, President of Epsilon Eta, said, "I can't thank you enough for having us, we had a wonderful time! We feel so lucky to be surrounded by such a kind and uplifting community, rain or shine. I already can't wait for our next planting with you!"

Sunday, April 19 - Park Ridge Neighborhood - 32 Trees, 58 Volunteers

What was meant to be Canopy’s first planting of the spring on March 7 ultimately became the finale to our neighborhood planting season, after rain reshaped the schedule. Despite the change, the event delivered a strong showing of community spirit and impact. A total of 32 trees were planted by 58 volunteers, including residents, longtime Canopy supporters, and members of student groups such as Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Civic Leaders Center at IU, The O’Neill School, Monroe County 4H Junior Leaders, and IU’s Western Equestrian Team. The planting directly benefited 15 households that received free trees. The day concluded with food, live music from Ray Major, and remarks from Canopy and Bloomington City Council member Hopi Stosberg, creating a small celebration of the collective work.

For residents, the experience and results were meaningful. Sandy Keselich shared her appreciation, saying, "Your team did an amazing job planting my tree, leaving my yard neat and clean, and talking with me about the care of the tree. Many thanks to all of you." Steve Akers, one of Canopy's key liaisons with Park Ridge (who also offered his home as the planting day base), emphasized a broader significance, noting, "Canopy's planting had a positive impact on our neighborhood. After experiencing tree loss due to disease, storms and time, this planting breathed new life into our neighborhood tree canopy. The variety of trees planted—dogwood, hornbeam, serviceberry and many more—added needed diversity to our landscape." He added, "Canopy plays a critical role in how Bloomington continues to be recognized as a Tree City USA member."

Saturday, May 2 - Summit Hill Early Learning Center - 20 Trees, 22 Volunteers

The Summit Hill Early Learning Center, part of Bloomington Housing Authority, welcomed a meaningful addition to its landscape with the planting of 20 new trees. Postponed from 2025 due to shifting construction schedules, these trees ultimately became part of Canopy's spring planting season. This effort was supported by 22 volunteers, spread over two days. Twelve students from Tri-North Middle School kicked off the project by planting four trees, with 10 members of Delta Chi Fraternity planting the remaining 16 on May 2. The Early Learning Center received all 20 trees free of charge, helping create a greener, more welcoming environment for the children and families it will serve.

This planting was also part of Bloomington’s broader Cool Corridors Project, aimed at expanding tree canopy and reducing urban heat along walkways and public gathering places. Located near the Crestmont neighborhood, the project not only enhances the immediate surroundings of the Early Learning Center but also contributes to long-term environmental resilience of the broader community

Ongoing - City of Bloomington Tree Assistance Program (TAP) - 10 Trees

In addition to our neighborhood plantings each spring and fall, Canopy manages the Tree Assistance Program for the City of Bloomington. This spring, Canopy staff planted 10 replacement trees for the City in residents' yards across multiple neighborhoods.

Let's reflect on what we have done together!

To put our spring season into perspective, Canopy's 2025 was a record year for the organization, with substantial growth in our programming and significant evolution of the organization. This spring, we planted nearly as many trees as we did throughout all of last year, with even more active volunteers. Already this year, volunteers have contributed 1,468 precious hours to help Canopy do this important work! This work leads to impact.

Canopy's impact is YOUR impact, OUR IMPACT!

To help build even more capacity to support growth like this, CanopyBloomington has launched a spring campaign which is being matched up to $27,000 by the Bolger Foundation. This campaign will fund capital equipment that will include a truck, a trailer for tools and equipment, and a trailer for transporting trees. These are needed and will streamline Canopy's plantings, prep and processes, while also contributing to our sustainability. With this, Canopy will be able to plant more trees, partner with more communities, and grow an even greener, more resilient Bloomington.

Together, we are making a real difference! As always, THANK YOU!

CanopyBloomington

CanopyBloomington is a social impact organization created to maximize Bloomington's tree canopy and sustainably manage Bloomington's urban forest for trees' many environmental, health, economic, and social benefits, with a focus on tree equity and community engagement. The staff, board and volunteers work year-round to plant and care for trees, improve air and water quality, and make neighborhoods healthier and more beautiful. But we can’t do it alone.