Tree Steward Mauve Hyland (left) checks a newly planted tree in Silver Heights. At Tree New Mexico's inaugural planting in April. Hyland led a tree planting team of volunteers with Tree or C's Co-Coordinator Elise Curtin (center) - Photos courtesy Linda Tollefson - LJs PhotographyBayard is readying to plant a cooler community on Saturday, Aug. 29, with Tree New Mexico (Tree NM), an urban forestry nonprofit. Volunteers are needed to help plant trees in front yards across the city to help lower temperatures by offering future shade along streets and sidewalks. Registration for volunteers is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Bayard Community Park, 290 Hurley Ave. Planting begins at 10 a.m. and is usually completed by noon.
The planting is led by Bayard native, Loretta Marrufo – who is the Silver City regional coordinator for Tree NM. "I am so honored to come back to my hometown with something that is so positive for the community. To bring shade and cooler streets is going to benefit our children and future generations."
The best part of the planting is the holes are already dug, volunteers are led by tree experts in proven planting methods, and tools are provided. Volunteers should bring gloves, a hat, water bottle, and close-toed shoes.
The City of Bayard and the Bayard Beautification Committee is supporting the effort to increase the tree canopy. The committee is sponsoring a community barbeque and fiesta after Saturday's planting at 11:30 a.m. at Bayard Community Park with mariachis and renowned singer Angelica Padilla.
After planting and distributing over 100 trees in Silver City, Tree NM is branching out to surrounding communities to offer cooling canopies and classes in tree care. The nonprofit plants free trees in homeowners' front yards to shade sidewalks and decrease the heat island effect from roadways.
Marrufo said, "Tree NM also hosts giveaways of an equal number of trees to the amount they plant." The Bayard tree giveaway is Monday, Aug. 31, at 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the garden next to the Bayard New Mexico Public Library, 1112 Central Ave. The program offers climate-ready trees, which are suited to the drier and increasingly hot environment of southwest New Mexico.
The Bayard Library will also host a free Tree Care Class on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. to noon, which covers how to best plant a tree and watering methods for the changing environment.
The next planting is scheduled for Hurley on Saturday, Oct. 17. Residents can register to adopt a tree for their front yard by visiting https://bit.ly/sctrees . Santa Clara's planting is scheduled for Spring 2027.
For more information call 505-538-6016 or email
