Acorn Harvester Training 2025 Part 2: Field Training

Volunteer with our annual acorn harvest! Each season volunteers explore our open space areas and harvest acorns used to grow native oaks for region-wide reforestation efforts.

This field session is the second part of our annual Acorn Harvester training. During class we will learn how to harvest acorns safely and within the strict harvesting guidelines utilized by our program. We will visit with and identify various native oak species, harvest acorns, and learn how to properly sort and store them post field harvest. The training is most appropriate for individuals over the age of 16.

All participants must pre-register and submit a Sacramento Tree Foundation waiver to participate. The training will involve up to 2 miles of off-trail hiking in grasslands/woodlands. Hiking shoes, long pants, and sun protection will be necessary. Contact with poison oak, ticks, snakes, bees, or other wildland hazards is a possibility. Please come prepared to safeguard your personal health by bringing ample water and any other supplies you may need.

Register now! The week before this event, we will send a logistics and directions email with detailed information about how to get to the site. You will receive this email ONLY if you are signed-up for this planting.

Who should attend?

This sign-up is for people who have attended or are signed-up to attend the Acorn Harvester Training Part 1: Webinar on Friday September 12, and wish to independently harvest acorns on behalf of the Sacramento Tree Foundation.

Signing up to harvest indicates that you will follow all harvesting and safety guidelines received in training. Harvesting acorns under Sacramento Tree Foundation permits for personal or commercial use is not allowed.

Requirements

Register in advance: Space is limited. If your plans change prior to the event, please update your registration status so we are sure to have the necessary number of volunteers.

Youth volunteers: Our Acorn Harvester Training sessions are most appropriate for individuals over the age of 16.

Waiver: All volunteers must pre-register and sign a completed volunteer waiver form during registration and BEFORE participating in the event.

COVID safety: Although we encourage attendees to be fully vaccinated, all attendees can choose to wear facial coverings at their own discretion. Anyone who has tested positive for COVID should not attend, unless more than 5 days have passed and they are asymptomatic and have tested negative on day 6 or later - please provide advance notice of cancellation when possible.

Two-part training: Training consists of two parts - a previous training session on Zoom and this opportunity to learn hands-on out in the woodlands.

Clothes and shoes: Wear pants, long sleeves, closed-toed hiking boots or shoes, and sun protection. Dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather. Contact with poison oak, ticks, snakes, bees, or other wildland hazards is possible.

Arrival: Arrive on time. Check-in begins at 9:00 AM.

Food and drink: Bring a refillable water bottle and ample water; some water will be available on site if needed. Light snacks will be provided; please feel free to bring your own food.

Skills: No specific skills required, but participants should have attended the classroom training prior to this field training.

Getting there

The location of our field site as well as parking instructions will be emailed to enrolled participamts a week before the harvesting dates.

About this project

At the Sacramento Tree Foundation, we steward our urban forest from seed to slab. The annual acorn harvest celebrates the beginnings of the lifecycle of our native oaks. Acorns are harvested by volunteers, carefully sorted by interns, grown into seedlings by schoolchildren, planted at reforestation sites by volunteers, and stewarded by our staff. When trees reach the end of their lifespans, we salvage and sell their wood to further support education and programming around the lifecycle of the urban forest.

If you have questions about this initiative or would like to get more deeply involved, please contact Colin Fagan, Eudcation and Engagement Coordinator at acornharvest@sactree.org or 916-974-4309.

Make a gift to SacTree

Donate to SacTree to support our work growing thriving communities through stewardship of our urban forest! SacTree relies on the support of friends, neighbors, and volunteers like you to make our work possible.

Questions about volunteering?

Reach out to volunteers@sactree.org with any questions about registering for this event or volunteering with SacTree.