struggling to recruit and retain en- try-level tree workers. At the same time, communities are investing in expanding tree canopy in underserved neighborhoods but often lack the trained workforce needed to establish and maintain those trees. Tree work is physically demanding, requires a strong safety culture, and calls for workers who can learn techni- cal systems while performing outdoors in all conditions. Many incarcerated individuals already understand hard physical work and high-stakes environ- ments; what they’re often missing is a bridge to a legitimate career. Garden Time’s Green Reentry Job Training Program is designed to be that bridge. INSIDE THE WALLS: BUILDING WORKFORCE BASICS Within the constraints of a correctional environment, job training focuses on building strong fundamentals. Partic- ipants begin with what every arborist knows is non-negotiable: safety, team- work, environmental responsibility, and a strong work ethic. Incarcerated gardeners are introduced to the tools of the trade, job-site aware- ness, and effective communication,
After release, participants can join the Green Reentry Job Training Program, which builds on the skills they developed inside by offering focused training in tree care and other pathways across the green industry.
fined by past mistakes, the opportunity to invest in their communities carries its own quiet power. Urban tree care also addresses a pressing workforce need. Across New England and beyond, municipalities, utilities, and private companies are
a green industry professional who, like her colleagues, has spent years working in all kinds of gardens. This program has become her life's work.
FROM PRISON GARDENS TO PROFESSIONAL TREE CARE
Garden Time began with a simple prem- ise: meaningful work with plants can change lives. Inside several facilities at the Adult Correctional Institution, the organization maintains productive gar- dens that supply fresh produce while teaching horticultural fundamentals, including soil health, composting, bio- diversity, and seasonal planning. After release, participants can enroll in the Green Reentry Job Training Pro- gram, which builds on those in-prison foundations with a focus on tree care and other careers in the green indus- try. Lacouture recognized that many participants were drawn to the scale, technical skills, and long-term stew- ardship that arboriculture offers. For people whose lives have often been de-
Technical knowledge, however, is only part of what happens during Garden Time. Participants arrive with varying levels of work experience, education, and confidence.
10 | Summer 2026 ArborTIMES ™
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