East Palo Alto Urban Forest Master Plan Steering Committee and Creators

Arnold Soforenko Award

Bronwyn Alexander, Najiha Al Asmar, Robert Allen Fisk, Maya Briones, Lileiti Grew, Elizabeth Jackson, Antonio Lopez, Catherine Martineau, Laura Martinez, Jeff Poetsch, Violet Saena, Megan Wheeler, Lauren Stoneburner, Erica Spotswood, Robin Grossinger, Darya Barar, Carol Randisi, Michelle Daher, Uriel Hernandez

For crafting a visionary and ambitious Urban Forest Master Plan for the City of East Palo Alto and for their example of innovation, collaboration, inclusivity, and persistence throughout the process.

In April 2022, the East Palo Alto city council adopted a historic and visionary Urban Forest Master Plan that not only charts a course to expand tree cover, but advances environmental justice and serves as an example for other cities to follow. This remarkable achievement was many years in the making, and the Community Steering Committee and Urban Forest Master Plan authors were essential to making it happen. Not only did they persist through the challenges of the pandemic; they also took a uniquely interdisciplinary approach that prioritized community engagement and took into account East Palo Alto’s unique history, ecology, challenges, and opportunities. The result is a clear roadmap to grow the city’s urban forest, and to do so in ways that build up community health, equity, and climate resilience.

Don Dias, Redwood City School District

Community Roots Award

For his unwavering dedication to serve, nurture, and support the students and families of the Redwood City School District during 37 years as Facilities Director, and for bringing tree planting projects from vision to reality with utmost care and attention to community priorities.

If you want to bring the benefits of trees to kids on school campuses, you simply can’t ask for a more generous, supportive, and irreplaceable partner than Don Dias. Canopy was first introduced to Don in 2014 by fellow nonprofit City Trees. As the Facilities Director for the Redwood City School District, Don immediately embraced the idea of planting trees at schools and started mobilizing resources to make it happen. From early project conception through the long process of securing funding and finalizing designs, all the way to planting day and beyond, Don was a tireless champion of campus greening who actively engaged school communities throughout the process. A well-known and beloved presence on school campuses, Don ensured the voices and priorities of faculty, students, and families were reflected in planting designs. He also collaborated beyond school boundaries, building partnerships with the City of Redwood City and other local agencies to ensure the best possible outcome for the trees and community. Recently retired from his post of 37 years, Don leaves the lasting impact of healthier, more vibrant school campuses and an inspiring example of a deeply caring leader.

Leadership Mountain View

Community Roots Award

Brian Kosinski, Peter Katz

For actively engaging business and community leaders in hands-on tree planting and stewardship of Mountain View’s Urban Forest, and for advancing public awareness about sustainability and the essential role of trees in healthy communities.

Leadership Mountain View is a 9-month leadership program that nurtures Mountain View’s present and future civic, business, and community leaders. Since 2019, Leadership Mountain View has enthusiastically partnered with Canopy each year to educate participants about Mountain View’s urban forest and its essential benefits, and to actively engage participants in planting and caring for trees in their city. By dedicating a portion of their curriculum to the urban forest, Leadership Mountain View raises the profile of environmental sustainability among a diverse cohort of leaders and equips graduates to champion healthy trees and healthy communities whatever their chosen field, creating positive impacts that ripple across sectors.

Los Robles School Leaders and Community

Community Roots Award

Alex Quezada, Blanca Jaime

For their example of community-building, collective service, and mutual care, and for taking action to grow East Palo Alto’s urban forest in ways that encourage others to join them in stewarding the people and planet around them.

Alex Quezada, Blanca Jaime, and the entire school community of Los Robles-Ronald McNair Academy really know how to show up for their city. In 2021, Canopy was talking with Los Robles staff about planting trees on their campus as part of a larger outdoor redesign. When the project was paused due to delays with the district, Principal Alex Quezada didn’t let that stop him from bringing more trees to his community. He called Canopy’s Community Forestry Coordinator Arlene Nuñez Garcia and asked how they could help. Over the coming months, Alex, Blanca, and Los Robles families mobilized to join tree plantings in nearby neighborhoods, volunteering as a school community to plant and care for trees. Their energy and enthusiasm kept Canopy staff and volunteers alike smiling throughout the day and set an inspiring example of collective grassroots action and local environmental stewardship.

Steve Brugler

Out on a Limb Award

For meaningful contributions to local citizen science efforts as one of Canopy’s most active, knowledgeable, and dedicated tree surveyors for The Great Oak Count and Palo Alto Young Tree Care Survey throughout 2021 and 2022.

Steve Brugler started volunteering with Canopy as part of the Great Oak Count in 2021, but quickly took an interest in the Young Tree Care Survey as well. Over 2021 and 2022, Steve surveyed hundreds of trees and was instrumental in completing this important annual survey during the challenging pandemic years. As an Open Space Authority docent, Steve is deeply knowledgeable about tree identification and local ecology. His surveying super power is the ability to identify trees and assess their health even during the winter even when many trees were missing their leaves. Pedaling from route to route on his bicycle, Steve’s commitment to sustainability, enthusiasm for local trees, and contributions to citizen science have enhanced Palo Alto’s urban forest and captured valuable data to inform future tree planting and care.

Vera Cordova Mendoza

Out on a Limb Award

For being a true ambassador for community trees and for creating an environment of warmth, laughter, and inclusivity as a bilingual planting leader and volunteer arborist for Canopy’s Branching Out programs.

Vera Cordova Mendoza has been lending her skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm to Canopy’s Branching Out programs since fall 2020. As a student of Canopy’s Community Forestry School, she quickly became a go-to Planting Leader known for making events accessible to Spanish-speakers and engaging all volunteers with an abundance of smiles and laughter. As a certified arborist, Vera has a deep knowledge of trees and urban forestry, which she shares generously with Canopy’s volunteers and broader community. Both as a Canopy volunteer and in her role as the Community Garden Program Manager at Fresh Approach, Vera is a constant ambassador for urban trees and plants, connecting residents with local resources, promoting partnerships between nonprofits, and making the joy of connecting with “nearby nature” more accessible to everyone.

Jonathan Gifford

Out on a Limb Award

For his instrumental role in advancing Canopy’s Great Oak Count survey and for his many years of service, stewardship, and impact as a volunteer, supporter, and advisor of local environmental causes and organizations.

Jonathan Gifford is a lifelong tree lover and a longtime Canopy volunteer, helping grow the urban forest as a planting leader, pruning volunteer, and active participant in Canopy’s tree walks and education programs. When the pandemic hit in 2020, Canopy’s large community events came to an abrupt halt and staff worked to adapt programs to an entirely different context and format. Jonathan Gifford was among the volunteers who stepped up to continue Canopy’s programs and mission. He and fellow volunteer Christine Baker (2020 Tree Awardee) had already volunteered countless hours to support the Great Oak Count, a citizen science survey to map Palo Alto’s native oaks. During the early pandemic years, Jonathan helped keep the survey moving forward by surveying hundreds of trees himself and training new volunteers. In addition to his work at Canopy, Jonathan is a longtime volunteer at Gamble Garden and actively promotes partnerships and cross-pollination between local environmental organizations and institutions.

Scott Marshall

Out on a Limb Award

For his bridge-building advocacy and successful preservation of irreplaceable oak woodland in the redesign of Flood Park in San Mateo County and for his ongoing dedication, thoughtfulness, and impact as a member of Canopy’s Advocacy team.

As a founding member of Canopy’s Advocacy Committee, Scott Marshall has shown extraordinary dedication, enthusiasm, and effectiveness as a champion for healthy trees and healthy communities. A key example of his impact is Flood Park in San Mateo County, which provides important recreational and green space amidst an urban area near Highway 101. The original plan for the park’s redevelopment included removing many large native oak trees to make room for sports fields. When Canopy first learned of the project in February 2021, the Board of Supervisors had already approved the plan, but Scott still saw the potential for change. He joined a group of neighbors as part of the Flood Park Task Force and advocated to shift the location of the playing fields out of the oak woodland. Through education and collaboration, the group convinced the Board of Supervisors to approve a new plan that preserves these invaluable native oaks, some almost 4 feet in diameter. Thanks to Scott and his collaborators, these trees will remain a resource for the local ecosystem and community for years to come.

Jack Owicki

Out on a Limb Award

For invaluable service to the community as the founder and coordinator of Pro Bono Photo, and for lending countless hours as a volunteer photographer to skillfully capture the stories and impact of local environmental nonprofits such as Canopy.

If you’ve spent time with nonprofits, you know that budgets are usually tight and there’s often more good work to do than resources to accomplish it—or to share about it! Jack Owicki founded Pro Bono Photo in 2017 with exactly this challenge in mind. For the last six years, Jack has managed a network of skillful, passionate volunteer photographers who support organizations with missions of community service, social justice, and environmental advocacy. He has also volunteered countless hours of his own time to capture powerful images for local organizations like Canopy and many of our grassroots partners. He even helped recruit a photographer for this very event (thanks, Bruce!), despite being an honoree. Through his work with Pro Bono, Jack helps nonprofits and the people they serve to tell their stories, deepen their impact, and make the world better for all of us.

Samir Sane

Out on a Limb Award

For his above-and-beyond contributions as a Canopy volunteer and for consistently offering his calm, welcoming presence as a Canopy planting leader to engage, guide, teach, and create positive and memorable experiences for other volunteers.

Samir Sane first came to Canopy in Fall 2020 as a student of Canopy’s Community Forestry School. It was deep pandemic days, as Canopy revamped programs and grappled with when and how to safely welcome volunteers back into the field. With public volunteer opportunities still paused, Canopy’s Community Forestry School students became a critical source of volunteer support to allow tree planting and tree care activities to continue. Right from the beginning, Samir was a constant presence and aid, attending nearly every planting event for two full planting seasons. Samir soon took on the role of Planting Leader, guiding other volunteers through the tree planting process with his calm, welcoming presence that immediately puts people of all ages at ease. Samir has also mentored Canopy’s Teen Urban Foresters, spearheaded neighborhood tree plantings, participated in tree surveying and the Canopy Trees Committee, and offered valuable feedback to improve Canopy’s programs. Through his dedication, service, and thoughtfulness, Samir has made a tangible difference in the local neighborhoods and contributed substantially to Canopy’s mission of growing healthy trees and healthy communities for all.

Adrian Maciel

Young Forester Award

For four years of dedication and impact as one of Canopy’s longest-serving Teen Urban Foresters, from planting and caring for hundreds of trees to leading volunteers and engaging community residents, and for consistently supporting and mentoring his peers with steady leadership and a sense of humor.

Adrian Maciel came to Canopy as a quiet freshman with a steady presence and strong work ethic. Over four years as a Teen Urban forester (TUF), Adrian grew into a skilled, confident, and caring leader who mentored his peers and contributed to Canopy’s mission in myriad ways. Adrian has led volunteer groups, trained residents in planting and tree care techniques, presented publicly about the value of trees, and contributed significantly to projects like Community Listening Sessions and neighborhood outreach—all with his calm demeanor and quick sense of humor that keeps those around him smiling. As one of Canopy’s longest-serving TUFs, Adrian has been part of planting more than 480 community trees and caring for 800+ more. Thanks to Adrian, there are more neighborhoods with healthy young trees and more residents excited and equipped to care for them.

Katie Rueff, Willa Bednardz, and the Gunn High School Green Team

Young Forester Award

For their longstanding partnership as all-star volunteers for Canopy’s tree planting, tree care, and surveying programs, and for consistently inspiring other youth to take action in their community and learn about environmental stewardship.

The Gunn High School Green Team has been digging in to support Canopy’s mission over many years and generations of members. Since 2020, the group has engaged even more deeply, serving as enthusiastic tree champions and instrumental partners in Canopy’s South Palo Alto Tree Initiative and Great Oak Count in particular. Over the course of two planting seasons, Gunn Green Team members joined Canopy every week after school to plant trees at local residences, planting close to 100 trees in south Palo Alto neighborhoods. This amazing work has been spearheaded by former Green Team President Katie Rueff and member Willa Bednardz, both class of 2023. These volunteer all-stars were always ready to help across Canopy communities and programs, including tree planting, tree care, public outreach, tree surveys, Community Forestry School, special events, and more. Their dedication and the commitment of the entire Gunn Green Team is an inspiring example of youth leadership, service, and environmental stewardship.

Jonathan Villanueva

Young Forester Award

For his leadership, initiative, and welcoming presence during three years as a Canopy Teen Urban Forester and for continuing to support fellow youth and community forestry as a TUF Alumnus by volunteering as a planting leader and presenter, and encouraging others with his knowledge and story.

“When I think about Jonthan,” says Canopy Youth Program Manager Juanita Ibarra, “my first tree planting at Canopy comes to mind. I’d never planted a tree before and I was nervous, but Jonathan stepped right in and made me feel welcome. He shared step by step on how to plant a tree properly and gave me kudos. This was when I realized that Jonathan was a natural leader. His way of leading and teaching while motivating his fellow Teen Urban Foresters was inspiring.” Over three years as a Canopy Teen Urban Forester (TUF), Jonathan consistently took initiative during project work and became a trusted advisor among his peers. As a TUF alumnus, Jonathan has continued to support Canopy’s mission and his fellow youth, sharing his story as a speaker in Canopy’s Green Career Series and First Generation College Student Talk and continuing to green local communities as a volunteer planting leader.