Tree Hero Preview | Kate Christian

Later this month, we will be taking a deep dive into the Slavic Village Development (SVD) Green Team. Black Valve Media spent the day with these seasoned tree stewards to learn more about what stewardship means in their neighborhood.

Stay tuned for the upcoming videos! Check out our preview blog below:

Kate Christian holds a bucket of water while watering Trees at a SVD planting site. (Photo by: Ryan Grzybowski)

Kate Christian is no stranger in Slavic Village; as the head coordinator for SVD's Green Team, she is responsible for park spaces and trees. During the summers, she zips around the village, spending most of her days with her team watering trees, mulching, and weeding. "We do tree plantings in residents' backyards... [and] we spend time throughout the year talking to residents about trees."

There are many planting sites across Slavic Village, including a pilot project with the Trust for Public Land to investigate phytoremediation, or removing contaminants such as lead from soils using trees. Christian and the Green Team are responsible for maintaining these sites, keeping a constant pulse on their care and upkeep. 

"What I like about this program is that there are so many needs that get highlighted in our neighborhood... it gives us a chance to help keep the neighborhood beautiful and looking nice." Kate said. 

Christian started a Tree Steward in 2024 after completing her training with Western Reserve Land Conservancy, and advocates for anyone seeking to learn about trees and urban forestry through the program. "They take people who might not know anything about trees and give them a foundation on planting." 

Kate embodies what it means to be a Tree Hero in Cleveland, caring for the trees and the people in her neighborhood. 

Slavic Village Green Team poses next to a tree for a group photo.