OneTree Alaska stages Valentine-themed fundraiser

February 7, 2018

OneTree Alaska has announced a Valentine’s Day special for people who wish to donate to the forest education outreach and research program.

Individuals who donate $100 to OneTree Alaska receive a luminaria and a Valentine-themed box of birch caramels. UAF photo by Jeff Fay.

Those who donate $100 will receive a red Valentine’s box with a dozen birch caramels, one ice luminaria and the opportunity to become a “sap sergeant.”

OneTree is working with the University of Alaska Foundation to raise money for its program, which provides forest education to K-12 students and researches birch sap processing methods. The program had hoped to support its work by selling products made from 6,000 gallons of the birch sap that staff and volunteers with a cooperative collected last spring. A freezer failure in October resulted in losing most of the sap concentrate. OneTree coordinator Jan Dawe says she hopes to raise $100,000 by June to pay for the program’s seasonal birch sap crew, buy a freezer alarm and support the education program.

A variety of funding levels have been established. These include Friends of OneTree, $25; Adopt a Seedling, $50; Sap Sergeants, $100; Sapling Steward, $365; Deep Roots Donor, $500; and Community Science Champion, $1,000 or above. Depending on the level of contribution, donors receive caramels, luminaria, a limited-edition print by Kes Woodward, or recognition as an underwriter of saplings.

Anyone who wishes to donate may call OneTree Alaska at 474-5517 or visit its website. The caramels and luminaria may be picked up at OneTree studio at Lola Tilly Commons from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9; 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 10; 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11; and 10 a.m. to noon on Valentine’s Day.