By Jennifer Crain
When Genevieve Becker worked with a canopy scientist at the Evergreen State College, she says she “got to be paid to be a tree-climber, which was probably my childhood dream.”
Becker, who says she has a couple hundred climbs under her belt, is now a lead stewardship specialist with Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation. She says her tree-climbing experience converged with her current position when she led summer camps through the City of Olympia last year.
“There were some beautiful trees around and I thought, ‘I wonder if kids would really appreciate getting into these trees,’” she says. “I just wanted that connected experience through nature to happen for them. I study environmental education and wanted to be able to utilize that skill through [assisting kids with] tree climbing.”
So Becker proposed a kids’ tree-climbing event to the staff. The idea is unprecedented in our area but it piggybacks on similar events that have taken place in Tacoma and Bellingham.
A growing international pastime, tree climbing as a recreational sport started to coalesce in the 1980s when a few groups formed to promote safe climbing practices and lay the groundwork to seek accreditation. Since then, more organizations have cropped up, aiming to educate tree adventurers about climbing practices that are safe and environmentally respectful.
Though there is no universal accreditation for the activity yet, a number of professional organizations for recreational tree climbing exist all over the world, such as Tree Climbers International and Global Organization of Tree Climbers. Becker estimates that thousands of people worldwide are involved in recreational tree climbing.
Sylvana Niehuser, a park ranger with the city, says their event will mirror the careful oversight and attention to safety promoted by such groups.
Niehuser says one tree in Priest Point Park, a big-leaf maple, has already been identified as the climbing tree. Earlier this month it was inspected by an arborist and limbed for safety. Before the event another tree, a Douglas Fir, may be approved as a second climbing site.
Climbers will be assigned time slots in groups of eight. Staff members will assist them with harnesses and technique. Kids will be able to ascend up to 40 feet, though Niehuser says the height of the climb will depend on the comfort level of individual participants. Climbers will meet up with a “canopy greeter,” an experienced tree climber stationed in the tree ahead of time. Once aloft, they’ll stay for awhile, learning about the tree and the health of the canopy while taking in a nice view of Budd Bay Inlet.
While kids wait their turn, there will be other opportunities to interact with nature and learn about the trees and plants in our area. Kids will be invited to participate in junior ranger activities such as a scavenger hunt and watering native plants and trees that were planted in April for Earth Day.
“We thought [the event] would be a great way to incorporate outdoor recreation with environmental education,” Niehuser says.
It’s an opportunity to get “a rare view of wildlife,” she adds. “This isn’t something [kids] normally get to do because these limbs are not reachable by the ground. Adventurous and outdoors-type kids would really find it appealing.”
Only 32 total spots are available so Niehuser says to register as soon as possible.
Click here to register online or call the customer service line at 360-753-8380.
For more information on Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation events, such as their Explore Your Park Series, visit their website.
