As told by Lisa Simms, NJ Tree Foundation Executive Director
It is the fall of 2001. The NJ Tree Foundation is hosting our first community-based tree planting in Camden City, NJ. I arrive early in the morning to meet the tree nursery delivery truck. Two men are sitting in an unmarked car on the street. I walk up to the car (yes, I know what you’re thinking: I WAS CLUELESS! And, you’re right!) The conversation goes like this:
Me: Hi! Are you here to volunteer for the tree planting?
Men: No. We’re police officers. This street is a known drug zone.
Me: Oh. Well, my name is Lisa and I’m from the NJ Tree Foundation. We’re planting 25 trees on Clinton Street with Habitat for Humanity today!”
Officers: (Give each other a look and laugh). You’re planting trees in Camden? Trees? Yeah, they’ll be here tomorrow. (More laughter).
Me: (unfazed) Yep. It’s going to be a GREAT day! The residents are going to plant trees in front of their homes. If you want to stick around and help…?
Officers: You’re crazy, you know that? This is Camden. No one wants trees here. They’ll be gone by the morning. No one is going to help you. You’re gonna have a long day! Do you know what this city is like?
Me: You’ll be surprised. Really. If you’re here at noon, we’re serving lunch for the volunteers. Please stop by! (Tree truck arrives). Ok, I gotta go. Hope to see you at lunch!
Officers: (More laughter)
Despite their doubts, we run the tree planting and it was a success. Every resident on the block helped to plant the 25 trees and we finished by 11:30am. The street was completely transformed and you could see shade immediately!
As we wrapped up and ate lunch, the undercover police officers walked up. One officer had something in his hand.
Me: Hi! I’m so glad you made it for lunch!
Officer: Lisa, this is amazing. This is the first time we have ever seen residents come out of their homes, let alone work together on something. We have never seen anything like this in Camden. The trees are beautiful! We bought you lottery tickets. I hope you win you so can continue to do this in Camden.
I was blown away.
