Citizen Forester Happy Hour: Café Saint-Ex

Through our tree plantings, we realized that our Citizen Foresters and volunteers needed a space to put that shovel down and (if you chose) pick up a libation. We couldn’t imagine a better time than getting the chance to talk to the people who share our values and interests (aside from planting a disease-free elm, of course).

Would you like to know the people who help us put trees in the ground? Would you like to get to know some new faces in the District, or just share a smile and a beverage with some friends? Join us for our monthly Citizen Forester “Branch Out” Happy Hour, organized by CFs Suzanne Theberge and Andrea Moreland, and spend some time with some of the greenest people around.

Listen to what Suzanne had to say about this month’s happy hour at Café Saint-Ex:

CT: Hey guys! Tell us a little about yourselves, and how you got introduced to Casey Trees.

ST: I live in the District, found out about Casey Trees right when I moved here in Jan 2010 via a blog.  I started volunteering right after I got here and have been ever since.

AM: I’ve been volunteering with Casey for a little over 2 years.  I found out about them through my company which does a lot to promote volunteering among employees.

CT: That’s awesome – what kinds of things do you like to do with us now? Plantings, tours, social events, etc.

AM: Plantings and classes.

ST: Me too, I participate in plantings as much as I can.  I haven’t done one of the tree walks yet, but maybe this year! 

CT: What were your Citizen Forester experiences like?

ST: Being a CF has been great — I like the combination of accomplishing something tangible and working to directly improve the environment of the city I live in.  I’ve met some really nice people, and I always have interesting conversations at the plantings.

AM: My favorites are when we plant in an area with very few plants and green around.  We leave and the space is totally transformed!  It’s also great to get to work with people I wouldn’t have otherwise met – students from local universities, white house interns, neighborhood and corporate groups…

CT: What made you decide that you wanted to organize this CF Happy Hour?

ST: Liz Ball and Sue Erhardt asked me to, and I just couldn’t say no!

AM: Exactly – it’s a great opportunity to get some of the regular volunteers together outside of tree plantings and get to know each other better.

CT: Why did you choose Saint-Ex, and what kind of experience/ atmosphere can the attendees expect?

AM: St. Ex is a great bar in my neighborhood that gave us really good drink specials.

ST: Yup – Andrea and I chose Saint-Ex because we both live in this neighborhood, it’s easy to get to, has a large basement room we could use, and they offered us a happy hour discount!   It’s a cozy, laid-back neighborhood type spot and has been around for quite awhile (since 2003).

CT: How can guests get there? What’s the parking like?

ST: It’s right on the corner of 14th & T.  Any of the 14th St. buses (52, 54, the Circulator) or the 16th St. buses (S1, S2, S4, S9) will get you there, as well as taking the Green or Yellow lines on the Metro to the U St. stop. Parking is not so good in this neighborhood, but there are BikeShare docks nearby.

CT: Who do you hope to see come out? Who would you like to chat with at the Happy Hour?

ST: I hope lots of CFs come.  I’ve met lots of interesting people at the plantings; it would be fun to hang out in a social setting and help build the Casey Tree community.   It would be great if people who live in the neighborhood come too; I think one of the reasons CT started organizing these was to help build a stronger community, and it’s always nice to get to know more people who live in your immediate neighborhood!

AM: Exactly – basically, people who volunteer with Casey or would like to get involved, and friends!

CT: Why do you think someone should join the Citizen Forester program?

ST: It’s a great way to contribute to DC, by making the city greener and more pleasant to be in.  Being a CF means you get to be more actively involved in the plantings, and you learn a lot more about trees.

AM: Volunteering with Casey is so rewarding because after just 3 hours working with a bunch of other people who care about the environment, we totally transform an area.  It makes an immediate and long-term improvement to our city, and it’s fun!  I thought I would like that Casey doesn’t require a regular commitment, but then found myself wanting to come out every weekend.

CT: That’s fantastic – and that’s why we created these happy hours! To give our volunteers a better chance at connecting to the people at the next Casey Trees planting event. 

The next round’s on you two! Thanks so much for your help in organizing this great social event, ladies. Can’t wait to see you there!

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