In this special edition of our monthly Volunteer Spotlight, we recognize Jason Jordan for reaching his 10 year milestone of volunteering with ReForest London!
Name: Jason Jordan
Volunteer since: April 2010
Roles: Community Liaison, Hike Leader, Office Assistant, Aftercare Assistant, Tree Blitzer, Tree Planter, Tree Mascot & Tree Specialist
A long-time Londoner originally from Chatham, Jason has a background in Urban and Interior Design and a passion for all things trees and cycling. He started off by volunteering with ReForest London at a planting event in spring 2010, without any plans to continue being involved. But he kept coming back, started to take on several different roles, and quickly became well-known to all staff and many other volunteers.
Over the last ten years, Jason has volunteered more times than any other volunteer. He has logged at least 210 volunteer shifts, and at least 588 hours. That being said, his volunteerism predates our database, so he has likely done much more! He has done everything from planting and caring for trees, helping residents choose the right tree for their yard, running information booths at community events, leading nature hikes and more! During COVID-19, he has even been taking care of some seedlings for us until we are able to give them out again.
The Forest City has greatly benefited from Jason’s dedication and commitment, and is a better place to live because of him. Thank you for a great ten years, and we look forward to the next ten!
Jason reflects on his first season volunteering, at a planting at Gibbons Park on June 12, 2010: “This was the first session I volunteered with ReForest London. I went to volunteer for just one event, then went the next week. I missed the next one for Free Comic Book Day, but I went to the following one, and was told by the staff “You been coming to every event.”
It was 2 plantings at Gibbons Park and one at Ann St Park that I did in the first season, possibly others. That was 10 years ago, and my intention was only to attend one event. I am still volunteering with ReForest London. The online Sign-up; says I had volunteers 588 hours, but it was not used at the beginning, for office work, workshops, and the times I just pop in.”