DUG’s Food Forests are community orchards designed with nature in mind. Built to mimic forest ecosystems, these lush, layered spaces feature perennial fruits, nuts, herbs, and pollinator plants—free for the community to enjoy.
They regenerate the soil, provide shade and habitat, and turn neglected land into living classrooms. With every tree planted, they also plant the possibility of a cooler, greener, more resilient Denver.
This is a place for food, exploration, education, and community. Explore, identify plants, learn about unfamiliar ones. Observe interactions among plants, insects, animals, and the environment, considering replicating such systems in your surroundings. Enjoy the space by picking ripe fruit to share with yourself or neighbors—it’s here for everyone’s enjoyment.
Take only what is ripe–it tastes better and won’t risk damaging the plant if you pick when the fruit is ready. If you’re not sure if a fruit is ripe, check the signage or look for indicators placed by Tree Keepers. Take only what you need or can share–many people use this space, and it’s important that we preserve it for others. If it looks like fruit is going to waste, let someone know so we can distribute it!
This space is managed by volunteer Tree Keepers, who keep the plants watered, pruned, and maintained in order to produce the best experience for visitors.
We love to have pets getting fresh air and exercise near our spaces, but please keep them on the outside edges of the food forest and remove their waste if they make any. This ensures that all of the food stays safe to eat.
Keep an eye out for any new plants; they’re always being added to the food forest and are especially vulnerable to damage in the first year. They should have some kind of marking, but please step carefully as you explore.
Not everything in the food forest is edible! Some plants are only for beauty or wildlife habitat, and there will always be plants and mushrooms that grow here without the knowledge of DUG or the Tree Keepers. Please be certain about your identification before you eat anything. Look to the signage or our website for more information.
DUG’s Etkin Family Foundation Food Forest Program was launched in the spring of 2022 with the goal of planting accessible food forests in small, underutilized areas in public spaces and community gardens.
This is a hands-on and classroom-based, training course in designing, planting, and maintaining edible forest gardens in the urban setting.
The role doesn’t require any previous experience with taking care of trees; you will be trained in pruning, pest management, and general tree health.
Want to help out at one of our food forests? You can explore one-time volunteer workdays below or reach out to the Tree Keeper on food forest directory.
This initiative was made possible through initial seed funding from The Giving Grove and The Marcus Foundation as well as a transformational gift from the Etkin Family Foundation.
