Anna Gomez

Out-on-a-Limb Award

For her steadfast dedication and commitment as a Canopy Planting Leader, Pruning Leader, surveyor, and outreach volunteer

A Community Forestry School graduate from the Class of 2021, Anna is a Canopy-certified Community Forester, Pruning Leader, and Planting Leader who is always ready to lend a hand in the field. As a Planting Leader, she has introduced planting volunteers to the tree planting process with warmth and patience. In our 2024-2025 planting season alone, she volunteered as a Planting Leader at 15 planting and tree care events! Beyond tree planting and tree care, Anna has participated in the Great Oak Count and Young Tree Care Survey and represented Canopy as an outreach volunteer and special events helper. She is steadfast in her dedication and commitment to the urban forest, and always steps up to help, however she can.

Anna’s quiet perseverance is a testimony of her love for the environment and trees. For her, being outdoors and in the company of trees is comforting and soothing, and she is grateful and feels blessed for the opportunity to do that. She is a dependable, committed and an inspiring Canopy volunteer, and we are grateful for her leadership in the Canopy community.

Jenny Degraaff

Community Roots Award

For her unfailing commitment to ensuring MVWSD students learn about and connect with trees and her support of Canopy’s education programs

Jenny is the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Teacher for grades 3rd-5th at Gabriela Mistral Elementary in Mountain View Whisman School District. For the past five years, Jenny has been an amazing Canopy partner, facilitating our visits to her classroom to teach interactive tree lessons. In the past two academic years alone, Canopy has taught a total of 44 lessons in Jenny’s classroom! And Jenny’s commitment to her students’ environmental education goes beyond facilitating Canopy visits. She has gone as far as teaching Canopy’s curriculum herself to ensure all students are receiving environmental lessons that center trees and climate resilience. Jenny also provides thoughtful feedback and mentorship that has resulted in the continued improvement of Canopy’s curriculum.

Educators like Jenny are helping guide the next generation of environmental stewards. We are so grateful for all that she does!

Todd Armstrong & Connect Community Charter School

Community Roots

For his partnership in the Connect Community Charter School and KIPP Excelencia tree planting and his commitment to bringing greenery, shade, and joy to local schoolyards

Todd has whole-heartedly demonstrated the multi-faceted, intersectional work that is community forestry at Connect Community Charter School in North Fair Oaks. As a consultant working with Connect on a campus-wide permaculture initiative, Todd has been a pivotal Canopy partner and steadfast advocate for trees on their heat-impacted, highly-asphalted campus shared with KIPP Excelencia Charter School. Todd continually partners with community to push this work forward and call in as many people as possible – whether it be through education, advocacy, student internships, community connection, engagement, or planting – and the list is still growing! School plantings often provide the opportunity to create meaningful connections to nature and to one another. We are deeply grateful for Todd – and the entire Connect and KIPP community of staff, teachers, students, families, and neighbors – for their commitment to healthy communities.

It took twenty years in the tech industry for Todd to realize his place is education; his role is mentor. With the pivot, and believing schools exist primarily to serve their communities, Todd set out to create a model for student driven activism. Beginning at Synapse School in Menlo Park, he developed competency in emotional intelligence, the fuel for activism. Teaching and consulting at over two dozen schools primarily in the Redwood City School District, the San Mateo Foster City School District, and Sequoia Union District, the model evolved. It was at Averroes High School in Fremont where emotional intelligence was married to design thinking, the model’s methodology. Beginning at Averroes, subsequently at Connect Charter School, and now Pacific Rim International School, permaculture became the foundation. Sourcing the wisdom of mother nature, steeped in indigenous practices, and guided by the ethics of people care, earth care, and fair share, permaculture offers the most fertile environment in which students make the experiences necessary for creating positive community change.

Gabriel Oliveri

Young Forester Award

For his incredible stewardship of our local urban forests as a youth Community Forester, GOC and YTCS Surveyor, and Planting Leader

Since graduating Community Forestry School at just 14 years old, Gabriel has gone on to become a Canopy-certified Community Forester, Great Oak Count and Young Tree Care Surveyor, and Planting Leader. Passionate about planting trees, Gabriel has planted in Canopy’s communities and in Los Altos where he resides. Dependable and enthusiastic, he is always stepping up to volunteer whenever and wherever he is able.

Given his passion for trees and the environment, it is not surprising that his senior project at Woodside Priory School was centered around ecological restoration with native shrubs and oaks. Gabriel’s volunteer leadership with Canopy has made him an inspiring role model for youth and an embodiment of learning by doing. We are grateful to have him as a youth volunteer and for his earnest desire to cultivate healthy and sustainable communities.

Lissette Cortes

Young Forester Award

For her incredible leadership and initiative inside and outside of the classroom as a Junior Forester Leader

As of 2025, Lissette is a rising sophomore at Los Altos High School. She was inspired to work with Canopy after participating in a tree planting at her former school Castilleja in Palo Alto. She joined the Junior Forester Leadership (JFL) program for the 2024 fall and 2025 spring sessions, volunteering for a total of 34 hours! Her attendance was impressive and she showed incredible initiative by being highly collaborative with her peers and speaking up in our lesson planning sessions. For one of the planning sessions, Lissette was the only Junior Forester Leader that attended, but with our Bilingual Environmental Educator’s support, she planned an engaging Play-Doh tree lesson! Lissette stepped up to lead parts of lessons in the classroom and always worked hard to build rapport with the 3rd and 4th graders in English and Spanish. She is very dedicated and passionate about Canopy and the JFL program’s mission to teach youth about the benefits of trees through hands-on nature-based activities.

Paco Arreola

Young Forester Award

For his commitment to editing the Canopy Roots podcast and supporting the Teen Urban Foresters from miles away

From being a Teen Urban Forester (TUF) Lead to now a loyal and dependable volunteer, Paco truly exemplifies Canopy’s values of stewardship, education, and service. Currently a rising sophomore at UC Merced majoring in Psychology, Paco hasn’t let the distance stop him from staying rooted in his community and volunteering with Canopy. Even from miles away, he continues to give back as the main editor of the Canopy Roots podcast, our TUF’s podcast series about the intertwined realms of environmental and social justice. Using his technical skills and attention to detail, he ensures each episode is polished and ready to share with the Canopy community. Paco’s journey shows the lasting impact of the TUF program and the power of youth leadership that grows with time.

Taqueria La Cazuela

Evergreen Ally Award

For their exemplary commitment to providing space and nourishment for the Canopy community and supporting the growth of East Palo Alto’s urban forest

Mayra & Gabriel Sanchez from Taqueria La Cazuela have supported Canopy’s mission of bringing more trees, shade, and beauty to the community of East Palo Alto for years. They have graciously donated freshly made food and drinks for large community planting events, helping fuel our hard working staff, Teen Urban Foresters and volunteers. When our Community Foresters spend a long day caring for trees and preparing for events at the East Palo Alto Corporation Yard, they’ll stop for lunch at the family-owned restaurant where they are met with warm smiles and delicious food. Canopy has even planted 8 trees at the restaurant!

For years, Taqueria La Cazuela has convened families, friends, and neighbors in a place full of love depicted in every cactus, flower, and detail. It’s a place to eat, to know art, and connect with community. They’ve hosted art gallery displays with local artists and tabling events where residents can learn about community resources. Every year, they host a Día de los Muertos event to offer a space for families to remember their loved ones, watch live performances, and enjoy food. Canopy is grateful for their commitment to community-building and growing our local urban forests.

Ruben Abrica

Arnold Soforenko Award

For his lifelong commitment to uplifting the East Palo Alto community, advocating for the East Palo Alto urban forest, and supporting Canopy’s mission

Ruben Abrica, the first Latino elected official to East Palo Alto’s City Council, is a lifelong advocate for the City, deeply committed to both its people and its trees. Always present for the community, he isn’t afraid to get down in the dirt or to the roots to speak about the City’s history, struggles, and growth.

Since the inception of Canopy’s programs in East Palo Alto, Ruben has spoken at large Canopy community events, discussing the importance of expanding and protecting East Palo Alto’s urban tree canopy. He reminds us that trees are more than just part of the landscape – they are living connections to the stories of our neighborhoods and the future we are building together. He is always open to speaking with Canopy’s Teen Urban Foresters to share history and knowledge, helping inspire the next generation of community leaders. For Ruben, the urban forest is not only the trees but also the people, and his devotion to preserving and growing both is inseparable from his dedication to uplifting East Palo Alto and ensuring the community receives all it deserves.

Holly Pearson

Chair Award

For her extraordinary leadership, unwavering commitment to Canopy’s mission, and profound kindness that has touched every corner of Canopy

The Canopy Chair Award is reserved for rare occasions when an individual’s contributions embody the very heart of our mission. This year, we are proud to honor Holly Pearson with this distinction.

Those who know Holly will tell you she brings more than expertise and dedication; she brings kindness. She is one of the warmest, most thoughtful people you’ll ever meet, leading with compassion as much as with strategy. Her care for people is as deep as her care for trees, and it is this balance of heart and mind that has transformed Canopy during her tenure. As Board Chair, she guided our organization through one of the most pivotal transitions in our history: a change in executive leadership. With steadiness, generosity, and vision, she devoted countless hours to ensuring that Canopy’s staff, mission, and future remained strong. Under her leadership, Canopy has not only weathered change but has flourished—growing into a healthier, more vibrant, and more resilient organization.

Mary Dateo

Chair Award

For her long-time, unwavering commitment to Canopy’s mission as a Board Member, a volunteer leader, and a remarkable urban forest advocate

Mary joined the Canopy community in 2018 when she participated in the first Community Forestry School cohort. Since then, Mary has shown up for Canopy as a dedicated volunteer, trusted advisor, and passionate advocate for our urban forests.

In addition to being the Board Secretary, Mary has taken on a variety of volunteer leadership roles, including Planting Leader, Tree Walk Representative, and Community Forestry Committee member. As a Planting Leader, Mary teaches volunteers the Canopy-planting process with a welcoming, enthusiastic attitude. When she’s not working directly with volunteers, she’s sharing her extensive horticulture knowledge and skills with the Canopy team. In the past year, Mary helped shape Canopy’s fruit tree program, drafting educational materials to inform residents about fruit tree selection and fruit tree care. As a longtime Mountain View resident, Mary has been a critical partner in expanding Canopy’s work in Mountain View. She designed the landscaping plans for Alta Vista High School’s serenity garden and supported Canopy’s tree planting work with Mountain View Whisman School District.

Canopy is proud to celebrate her as this year’s Chair Award recipient, honoring her remarkable contributions and the lasting impact she continues to make on our community.

Anna Eshoo

Oak Award

For her impactful and dedicated life of service to the people and ecosystems of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties

Much like the oak species–strong, enduring, and vital to the ecosystem—Hon. Anna Eshoo has been a keystone figure in both our environment and the Canopy community. The Hon. Anna Eshoo began her service as U.S. Representative for California’s 16th Congressional District in 1993, following her tenure as a San Mateo County Supervisor. Throughout the years, she and her dedicated staff have been stalwart supporters of Canopy’s mission, offering guidance and lending their voices on our behalf when action was needed. Throughout our region, she has supported legislation and helped secure funding for environmental conservation and clean energy initiatives.

Rep. Eshoo’s enduring commitment strengthened our work, expanded our reach, and helped ensure that our urban forests and our communities both continue to flourish.

Joe Simitian

Oak Award

For his impactful and dedicated life of service to the people and ecosystems of San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties

Raised in Palo Alto and a graduate of Palo Alto High School, Joe’s roots are intertwined with the Canopy community. Since our earliest days, he has been a steadfast ally. Serving on Palo Alto’s City Council when Canopy was founded, Joe’s pragmatic and thoughtful leadership was a steady presence helping Canopy get planted and launched. In the ensuing two terms as Santa Clara County Supervisor and in the California State Assembly and Senate, Joe was a true and gracious partner.

Like a mature oak offering both shade and shelter, Joe has brought warmth and generosity as master of ceremonies for countless Canopy events, while also providing the steady guidance of a trusted counselor. His public service has seeded many enduring programs across the region. For Canopy, the growth of our Community Forestry School and its lasting regional impact stands as one of the legacies we most treasure.