CANOPY BLOG

Arbor Day Festival 2017

Teen Urban Foresters: Arbor Day Fun

March 21, 2017

This post was written by Canopy’s Teen Urban Foresters (TUF). Lean more about the TUF program here.

On what felt like the first spring day, the Community Arbor Day Festival on March 11th attracted over 750 people to Mitchell Park in Palo […]

Tree walk explores bounty of the edible urban forest

February 20, 2017

On a clear and gorgeous February morning, a group of some seventy community members gathered around the stately avocado tree in Johnson Park. Coming from Palo Alto and beyond, a love for trees, food, and horticulture is what brought everyone […]

Service, celebration, and how trees create community

February 6, 2017

Coming together around trees

Across traditions, societies, and centuries, trees have held special significance in the human imagination.

They are universal symbols, representing life, nourishment, resilience, and growth. It’s part of why trees feature so prominently in cultural traditions and celebrations around the […]

Celebrating a Milestone: 20 Years and Growing

March 7, 2016

From the desk of Executive Director Catherine Martineau

Canopy celebrates our 20th anniversary and looks to the future of urban forests.

Catherine Martineau

In January, Canopy kicked off our 20th year growing healthy trees and healthy communities by celebrating with more than 150 […]

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Black History Month 2025: Reading List

Introducing “Canopy Roots”, a new podcast by Teen Urban Foresters

Meet Michael DeBroeck, Canopy’s Tree Care Coordinator

Oaktober 2024: In Celebration of Oaks

Chris Kao: Bringing trees back to an East Palo Alto neighborhood

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Today, we honored Palo Alto Mayor Ed Lauing with

Today, we honored Palo Alto Mayor Ed Lauing with the planting of a Southern Live Oak, a tree known for its strength, resilience, and deep roots — just like this community.

This tree is more than a symbol — it’s a living promise.

It reflects Canopy’s long-standing partnership with the City of Palo Alto and our shared commitment to nurturing a vibrant, healthy urban forest for generations to come.

Since our founding in 1996, we’ve worked hand-in-hand with city leaders, residents, and volunteers to ensure that trees are not just planted, but stewarded and celebrated as essential infrastructure, as sources of shade and sanctuary, and as powerful expressions of hope.

Thanks to the care and vision of this community, Palo Alto’s urban forest is thriving — and it’s the envy of many cities across the region.

But more than that, it’s a testament to what’s possible when a city chooses to grow with intention and heart.

May this tree grow strong and steady — just as Palo Alto does — nurtured by the hands, hearts, and hopes of this incredible community.

Thank you, @electedlauing , for continuing this beautiful tradition with us.

🔎Canopy is seeking a Donor Relations Coordinato

🔎Canopy is seeking a Donor Relations Coordinator!
The Donor Relations Coordinator will work closely with the Deputy Director, whose responsibilities include Canopy’s philanthropic strategy, and the Communications and Marketing Coordinator to expand the organization's donor engagement strategy. This role will focus on creating and nurturing relationships with philanthropic donors, contributing to the "Constituent Journey" through communication, engagement, and outreach. The ideal candidate is organized, entrepreneurial, and collaborative, with excellent relationship-building and communication skills. A commitment to Canopy’s mission is essential!
🌳Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week)
🌳Location: Hybrid position based in Palo Alto, CA (2 days a week in the office)
🌳Salary: $65,000
Click the link in our bio🔗 or go to canopy.org/jobs to learn more and apply!

Happy Earth Month from Canopy! We're looking forwa

Happy Earth Month from Canopy! We're looking forward to celebrating with you at an upcoming community event:

📚4/1 Read Under the Trees - Join @ravenswoodeduc1, @smclibraries, and Canopy to read under real fruit trees and earn points for Rock n Read!
🐰4/11 Spring Family Hunt - Join @smclibraries, @endtodv, The Little Blue House, and Canopy for a family-friendly outdoor event to celebrate spring time and give away fruit trees. East Palo Alto residents are eligible to receive a FREE fruit tree while supplies last.
🌳4/12 South Palo Alto Neighborhood Planting - Help plant 15 trees in the Ramos Park neighborhood!
🌎4/19 Youth Earth Day Event - NOTE: This event's location and time has changed. Youth volunteers are invited to help plant trees in Mountain View's Rengstorff Park!
🌲4/19 Mountain View Earth & Arbor Day Celebration - Canopy and @mountainviewgov are collaborating to host family-friendly activities to celebrate Earth and Arbor Day, including a fun tree walk and tree planting in Rengstorff Park. Join us!
🍋4/29 Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop & Giveaway - Join Canopy and @smclibraries for a bilingual fruit tree grafting workshop and a FREE fruit tree giveaway for East Palo Alto residents.

Learn more and register for events at canopy.org/events🔗

Today, just days before Cesar Chavez Day, more tha

Today, just days before Cesar Chavez Day, more than 60 community volunteers came together at Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School to plant 17 trees that will bring shade, beauty, and renewal to the campus and the East Palo Alto community.

Cesar Chavez reminded us that “the end of all knowledge should be service to others.” Guided by his words, we planted not just trees but a promise — a promise to serve our community, to care for the land, and to nurture hope for the future.

These trees symbolize more than greenery — they represent justice, healing, and the power of community action. Together, we are honoring his legacy and investing in a brighter, more connected future for generations to come.

A heartfelt thank you to @ravenswoodcsd and everyone who joined us. Your service and dedication embody the values Cesar Chavez championed, reminding us all that by working together, we can create a lasting impact.

Let’s continue to plant hope, honor our roots, and grow something extraordinary— one tree at a time.

Hoy, a solo días del Día de César Chávez, nos unimos en la Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School para plantar 17 árboles que traerán sombra, belleza y renovación al campus y a la comunidad de East Palo Alto.

César Chávez nos recordó que “el fin de toda educación seguramente debe ser el servicio a otros.” Guiados por sus palabras, plantamos no solo árboles, sino también una promesa: una promesa de servir a nuestra comunidad, cuidar la tierra y nutrir la esperanza para el futuro.

Estos árboles simbolizan más que un paisaje verde: representan justicia, sanación y el poder de la acción comunitaria. Juntos, estamos honrando su legado e invirtiendo en un futuro más brillante y conectado para las generaciones venideras.

Un agradecimiento de corazón a todos los que se unieron para cavar, plantar y crecer. Su servicio y dedicación encarnan los valores que Chávez defendió, recordándonos que trabajando juntos podemos crear un impacto duradero.

Sigamos sembrando esperanza, honrando nuestras raíces y cultivando algo extraordinario, un árbol a la vez.

🎉Canopy has been awarded the 2025 Community Val

🎉Canopy has been awarded the 2025 Community Values Youth Award by the YMCA Project Cornerstone @projcornerstone! This award recognizes Canopy's work to amplify youth voices, including environmental K-12 lessons, the Teen Urban Forester Program, and youth participation in Community Forestry School and volunteer work. We are grateful to be nominated by Healthy Living Experience Director Jose Sanchez of the Lewis and Joan Platt Family YMCA in East Palo Alto. Here are some fun photos of Canopy and EPA YMCA staff at the 2025 Project Cornerstone Awards Breakfast🥞

🌳At the awards breakfast, Canopy was also given a commendation from the @countyofsantaclara Board of Supervisors "for our steadfast dedication to growing urban tree canopy in the Midpeninsula for the benefit of all."

💚We wish to thank @projcornerstone for recognizing Canopy as a 2025 Asset Champion and the youth in our community who drive our work forward. Congratulations to all the awardees!

🌳⛅️Tree Walk Recap! On Saturday morning, ar

🌳⛅️Tree Walk Recap!
On Saturday morning, arborist Vera Cordova led us on a bilingual tree walk through East Palo Alto’s Bell Street Park. With a break from the rain, our walk was filled with smiles and great conversation about tree biology, tree care, and tree lore. Thank you to everyone who joined us to connect with our local urban forest and meet new people!

With spring just around the corner, it's a great t

With spring just around the corner, it's a great time to explore and appreciate your local urban forest. Bring your friends and family to a March Canopy event!
🌳3/13 - Arbor Week Movie Night: Moana 2 @epaa_dogcity
🌳3/15 - Caminata Guiada / Bilingual Tree Walk: East Palo Alto
🌳3/22 - Play Nature Loteria! Juega Nature Lotería! @postlandtrust @latinooutdoors
🌳3/29 - Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School Tree Planting @ccrms_rcsd
Visit canopy.org/events or the link in our bio to register for events

☀️As the weather starts warming up, explore th

☀️As the weather starts warming up, explore the trees in your community!🌳 Join Canopy for a guided, bilingual (Spanish-English) tree walk through Bell Street Park in East Palo Alto. Guided by a certified arborist, you'll explore a variety of trees, such as the southern magnolia and coast live oak — and many more! Register at canopy.org/tree-walk-sign-up or in the link in our bio🔗

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☀️Con la llegada del buen tiempo, explora los árboles de tu comunidad🌳 Únase a Canopy en una caminata guiada bilingüe (español e inglés). Vamos a caminar por Bell Street Park en East Palo Alto. Guiados por un arbolista certificado, aprenderá sobre una variedad de árboles, como la magnolia del sur y el roble vivo de la costa. Regístrese en canopy.org/tree-walk-sign-up o en el enlace de nuestra biografía🔗

Canopy is hiring a full-time Community Forester! W

Canopy is hiring a full-time Community Forester! We're looking for a passionate individual to care for Canopy-planted trees in San Mateo County to ensure their successful establishment and longevity to grow equitable canopy cover in the communities of East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks, and Belle Haven. This position is an excellent opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of urban and community forestry, to work collaboratively with others, and to affect positive, equitable change in our communities.

🌳Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday, 40 hours/week (in-office days on Tuesdays and Thursdays)
🌳Annual Salary: $60,000
🌳Location: Hybrid position based in Palo Alto, CA
Click the link in our bio to learn more and apply!

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