- About Us
- Our Work
- Tree Info
- Get Involved
- Blog
- Volunteer
- Support Us
By Canopy Team on June 25, 2024
As the 2024 Summer Teen Urban Forester (TUF) session comes to an end, Canopy wishes to congratulate our recently graduated Teen Urban Foresters: Paco Arreola, Betzhy Garcia, Jeremy Lopez, Larissa Villanueva, and Jose Yopihua.
These TUFs have championed the East Palo Alto urban forest by planting and caring for trees, helping our planting volunteers, advocating and canvassing for the growth of the urban forest, and educating our community about environmental justice topics. For many of them, the TUF program is more than a job and workforce development program. It’s a close-knit community where they can focus on their wellness, make meaningful connections with their peers, and feel empowered to take action and realize their goals.
Paco Arreola
Eastside College Preparatory School
UC Merced
“I learned about trees and how important they are in East Palo Alto specifically. Being able to have that input and knowledge, I can bring it to other people so they can know what their communities are like, and they can improve East Palo Alto as well.”
Betzhy Garcia
Kipp Esperanza
Menlo College
“It taught me how to be responsible, how to work on my time management, and public speaking…I’m going to miss the TUF program because it’s always a good time when we meet together.”
Jeremy Lopez
Eastside College Preparatory School
UC Davis
“I was learning about my community. I didn’t know the history of East Palo Alto. I didn’t know the injustices it was facing. When I joined Canopy, it opened up my eyes to these injustices and what I could personally do as a teenager in high school.”
Larissa Villanueva
Henry M. Gunn High School
San Francisco State University
“I’m so happy I pushed myself to try something new and join the program because now I feel closer with my community and nature.”
Jose Yopihua
Eastside College Preparatory School
UC Berkeley
“The TUF program has taught me many things about my community, most notably the environmental injustice my city has faced with redlining and blockbusting…Being in Canopy has made me lean towards environmental jobs.”
Congratulations, Class of 2024 Teen Urban Foresters! Canopy is excited to see how you’ll continue to foster healthy communities for all.
