Tacoma volunteers can plant trees, pull weeds and pick up litter at seven park sites on Saturday, Oct. 10. The City of Tacoma and the Green Tacoma Partnership are co-hosting the annual Green Tacoma Day.

The free event runs from 9 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. No experience is needed. Organizers will provide tools, gloves, snacks and guidance at each location, according to the city. Participants should bring a water bottle and dress for the outdoors.

Activities vary by site but include planting native trees and shrubs, removing invasive species, spreading mulch and picking up litter. Some sites offer tasks beyond physical outdoor labor for volunteers who need alternatives, according to the Green Tacoma Day website.

Mayor Anders Ibsen praised the effort in a city announcement Sept. 23.

"Our green spaces are the biggest legacy we leave to the next generation, and we commend the amazing Tacomans who make that possible," Ibsen said.

Wapato Hills gets an edible orchard

One confirmed site is Wapato Hills Park at 6231 South Wapato St., where Parks Tacoma, the Tacoma Tree Foundation and the city plan to plant 18 trees. The mix includes deciduous trees and fruit trees that organizers say will grow into an edible orchard for residents. Volunteers will also mulch existing trees throughout the park.

The Wapato Hills project ties into Parks Tacoma's Urban Forest Wildfire Management Plan, adopted in 2025, which targets 30% tree canopy coverage at the park. Parks Tacoma has identified the area as a historically underserved community.

How to sign up

Event descriptions, site locations and registration are available on the Green Tacoma Day website. The full list of all seven sites was not available as of Sept. 23; the website's interactive map has the details.

The Green Tacoma Partnership, a coalition of organizations, nonprofits, businesses and community members formed in 2005, coordinates the annual day of service.

Before the main event, Tacoma Green Drinks hosts a social gathering at 7 Seas Brewing Co. on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 6 p.m. for residents interested in sustainability and conservation.