A new initiative is taking root along the Truckee River in Reno, where community members are helping restore native trees while gaining skills for careers in green industries.
The Truckee River Urban Tree Workforce Program, launched in partnership with the City of Reno, trains people facing employment barriers in tree care, urban forestry, and biodiversity restoration.
The goal is to create sustainable jobs while revitalizing the ecosystem along a key stretch of the city’s river corridor.
According to the One Truckee River website, access to green spaces has been shown to improve both physical and mental health, but parts of downtown Reno lack sufficient tree cover.
Along the two-mile stretch of the Truckee River from Lake Street to Galletti Way, shade coverage is estimated between 5% and 13%.
The new effort aims to increase tree canopy and expand access to shaded public areas for nearby neighborhoods.
“One Truckee River is setting out to change this,” the organization said on its website, explaining that the project will cool river trail pavement, make public spaces more comfortable, and create a healthier environment for families and local wildlife.
The program also focuses on equity by connecting job training with environmental restoration.
Participants in the workforce program learn tree planting, care, and maintenance techniques that can lead to long-term employment in conservation and sustainability fields.
Ben Castro, executive director of the Reno Initiative for Shelter Equality (RISE), said the program bridges two important community needs. “I’ve always found these to be false dichotomies,” he said. “Even though workforce development and environmental protection aren't mutually exclusive, they can come together, and we can do both, providing multiple benefits to our local community.”
Monday morning’s launch event highlighted the collaboration between One Truckee River, the City of Reno, and RISE, showcasing how environmental and social goals can align to make a lasting local impact.
