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Steve Schweigerdt
Sacramento Tree Foundation

Steve Schweigerdt is the NeighborWoods Coordinator for the Sacramento Tree Foundation. He works with neighborhood and community groups to plan community projects and teach people about trees.


Favorites

Web site:	www.sactree.com
Software:	Netscape Browser
Technogadget:	I have a new GPS device. We use it to locate trees we plant.
Movie:	American Beauty
Book:	Geography of Nowhere, by James Howard Kunstler
CD:	Good Dog, Bad Dog, by Over the Rhine

What is your role in the Earth Day Celebration?

I am handling logistics, including most of the behind the scenes details, like setting up port-a-poties, getting power to the booths, and making sure the booths are set up. There are quite a few details, but there are lots of other planning people involved, so I have a lot of help. We will have about 150-180 booths this year.

How did you get involved in Earth Day?

Actually, when I started my job here at the Sacramento Tree Foundation the Earth Day Committee was meeting here in the office. That’s when I joined the committee. We partner together to publicize the work of many groups. It is important to create partnerships between the many different organizations that are working in the community.

Why should people come to the Earth Day celebration?

Well, the celebration itself is just a lot of fun. There are lots of things for kids to do and learn, and it is a good community activity. The best thing is that it’s a great learning opportunity for everyone, and there are a lot of speakers coming.

Earth Day is not just a time for entertainment, but also a time to take action. During the event people can learn how to take action by visiting our Action Steps tables. These tables are set up throughout the event, and people can learn little things they can do to help conserve. For example, one Action Step may include information about taking the bus, another may have information about riding bikes to work, conserving electricity, or buying recycled or green products.

What is one single daily thing an individual can do to help the environment?

I think the single biggest thing would be to stop driving to work, and not drive so much in general. A lot of the reason for this has to do with land use. About a third of the space we develop is for automobiles, in the form of roads, parking lots, etc. The less space we use for autos, the more space we have for housing, open space, and community space.

What does the Sacramento Tree Foundation do to promote the importance of trees?

Probably the biggest thing we do is to attend events like Earth Day, where we do community outreach. We have lots of public education events and classes throughout the year. Earth Day, Creek Week, and other community events where we can interact with and engage the public to take action are the most important.

We also have a program where we go into the schools and teach children to grow acorns into oak trees. The children plant the seeds, and we bring them back here to the Sacramento Tree Foundation to care for them until they are ready to be permanently planted. Usually about three quarters of the acorns sprout. We then take the trees back to Sacramento schools and plant them.

How do you unwind and relax?

I enjoy going out and mountain biking or hiking or cross-country skiing. I do my bike to work, so that helps. I find that I am more tense when I drive into work. My ride is about four miles, and about half of the ride is n the American River Bike Trail.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

I will probably still be here. I am working to build a network of people who care about their community and get out and work in it. Building this network is enjoyable and it is always changing, so I can definitely see myself here in five years.

What is your personal philosophy?

I guess I do what I do because I want to improve people’s quality of life and get people together again. I think it’s important because it does tie in with God and what God wants us to do, as well to serve other people.