CANOPY BLOG

Meet Paul LaVallee, Canopy’s Environmental Educator

By Canopy Team on June 8, 2022

Paul LaVallee (he/him) joined the Canopy team in May 2022 as an environmental educator. We asked Paul a few questions to get to know him better

Image of Paul LaVallee, Canopy's environmental educator, standing in front of a tree — Paul LaVallee

What were you up to before joining Canopy?

Paul: Prior to joining Canopy, I worked at Claire Lilienthal Elementary School as their Environmental Educator for grades 3-5. There I ran a garden class composed of environmental education curriculum, garden skills lessons, and connecting students to the natural world. Before Claire Lilienthal, I worked with an outdoor environmental education camp in Palo Alto and a coastal restoration nonprofit in Santa Barbara. I also hold a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Why do you think trees are so important?

Paul: Trees provide such a wide breadth of services for our environment and animals that inhabit the earth. One of the standout services that trees provide is a habitat for our forest species. The species diversity a single tree provides a home for is astounding. These micro-ecosystems within the forest are just one of the many reasons our trees deserve our appreciation and care.

What are you excited to be working on?

Paul: While I am elated to continue working with K-12 students, I am most looking forward to connecting with middle and high school students. The chance to empower students to become educators is a unique opportunity that drew me to this role.