Special Events

The Power of Trees: Growing a Movement

2024

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In April 2024, Canopy hosted a benefit to celebrate 28 years of our expansive urban forestry work and the community-centered efforts to foster a green solution movement through the power of trees. The Mitchell Park Community Center was transformed into a tree-filled “behind the leaves” experience that showcased their power to build and change our communities for the benefit of all.

Canopy Tree Awards

2023

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In September 2023, Canopy revived its annual Tree Awards and Volunteer Party after a hiatus since 2020. That year, we added the Community Roots Award, which recognizes leaders and institutions who inspire meaningful community engagement in the local urban forest. Celebrated at Bloomhouse in East Palo Alto, we honored our 2023 Awardees and 750+ volunteers who supported Canopy’s mission to grow urban tree canopy in Midpeninsula communities for all.

A Toast to Catherine: celebrating 18 years of transformational leadership

2023

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When Catherine joined Canopy in 2004, she cast a vision of a day when everyone could thrive under the shade of healthy trees. For 18 years, she led the way with boldness, creativity, and finesse, connecting and inspiring residents, advocating for our urban forests, and inviting all of us to participate in creating a brighter, tree-filled future. On March 19, 2023, the Canopy community raised a toast to Catherine and honored her lasting impact.

Deeply Rooted: Connecting communities and trees for 25 years

2022

Canopy’s 25th anniversary birthday bash and fundraiser, held June 18, 2022! Learn more at canopy.org/deeply-rooted-2022.

Planting Hope, Growing Resilience: a virtual benefit celebrating the power of trees and community

2021

In June 2021, Canopy hosted keynote speaker Gretchen Daily at our very first virtual fundraiser that explored the power of nature to sustain our communities, connect us more deeply, and illuminate what’s possible when we act together with hope. Learn more about the event.

Meet the Tree Whisperer, A Benefit Event with Dave Muffly

2019

On June 2, 2019, Canopy was thrilled to honor Dave Muffly, the visionary arborist for Apple who was responsible for selecting, locating, and planting 9,000 trees within the 175-acre Apple Park campus. Learn more about the event and see photos from the day.

Matt Ritter: Oaks Among Us and Other California Plants

2018

For Oak-tober 2018, Dr. Matt Ritter, botany professor and author of the new book California Plants, joined Canopy for, Oaks Among Us and Other California Plants, a visual tour and celebration of California’s iconic native flora. Learn more about the event.

The Wonder of Trees Gala

2018

In April 2018, Hope Jahren, award-winning scientist and best-selling author of Lab Girl, joined Canopy for The Wonder of Trees, an engaging evening of discovery, inspiration, community, and—of course—trees! At Hotel Nia in Menlo Park, guests followed Dr. Hope Jahren into her world as a scientist, uncovering the secrets of the soil beneath our feet, the leaves above our heads, and the ways in which the lives of plants and people are deeply intertwined. Learn more about the event and Hope Jahren.

Urban Forestry for People in a Hurry

2018

In March 2018, Canopy in partnership with the County of Santa Clara, Our City Forest, and Bay Area Urban Forest Council hosted a workshop tailored for city management and local government. The workshop focused on urban forestry topics including benefits and threats, components of a robust program, urban tree canopy and health, and a panel discussion with local municipal arborists. Visit here for the workshop powerpoint presentation and resources.

Rooted in Jazz: An Earth Day Benefit for Trees

2016

In April 2016, Canopy was proud to present Palo Alto’s own San Andreas Singers for an evening of live jazz at the Palo Alto Art Center in celebration of the 2016 Earth Day theme, Trees for the Earth. With it’s colorful blend of jazz, rock, and bebop, the San Andreas Singers delighted Canopy friends with original compositions, jazz classics, and some surprising favorites. Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the music and support urban trees!

Trees of Stanford: A Walk Through Time

2015

Read about the panelists See photos Explore Trees of Stanford website

In October of 2015, Canopy and the Stanford Historical Society teamed up to explore the rich mosaic of Stanford trees on a journey through the past, present, and future. The event began with a panel of renowned experts speaking about the diverse landscape, unique tree species, and rich arboreal heritage of the Stanford campus. Next, guests headed outside to explore one of four different areas on campus, embarking on tree walks led by panelists and other experts.

Trees of Yosemite: Threatened Treasures

2014

In August of 2014, Canopy and friends gathered around the campfire for a lively evening with author, park ranger, and master naturalist Bob Roney, also known as “Ranger Bob.” Roney continues his career of nearly five decades at Yosemite National Park, first as a firefighter then as a park ranger, and always as an enthusiastic steward of one of America’s greatest treasures. Ranger Bob captivated us with stories from his time in Yosemite, highlighting some of the Park’s most iconic trees and illustrating the human and natural forces that both threaten and shape Yosemite’s forest ecosystem. After Ranger Bob’s fire-side presentation, Canopy and friends shared marshmallow-roasting, s’mores, and more tree talk around the fire embers. See photos of the event here.

Gretchen Daily: The Power of Trees

2013

On September 26, 2013, Canopy welcomed Gretchen Daily, renowned author, global thought leader, and ecologist. Daily’s latest work, The Power of Trees, offers an intimate stroll through the forest and reveals the secret life of trees. Featuring photographs by her co-author, Chuck Katz, the book invites readers to appreciate the wonder of trees through a scientific lens. During the event, Daily shared about her work at Stanford, which uses economic tools to protect our planet’s most precious local and global resources. Daily also drew on photos and ideas from The Power of Trees to help us understand the value of growing and renewing our urban forest. See pictures of the event here.

Apple Campus 2: Growing a Forest

2013

The plan for Apple Campus 2 includes 7,000 trees and a landscape design of meadows and oak woodlands, creating an ecologically rich oak savanna and forest reminiscent of the early Santa Clara Valley. The campus will recall our agricultural past with sustainably farmed orchards of apricot, apple, cherry, persimmon and plum trees.  In August of 2013, Canopy took a virtual tour with Apple Senior Arborist Dave Muffly, Olin Landscape Architect Sally Reynolds, and The Morley Bros. Principal Eric Morley. This fascinating conversation covered designing a landscape for an iconic building, designing with the environment in mind, re-creating a sustainable Californian landscape, and how to plan for 7,000 new trees.

Richard Louv: Bringing Nature Nearby, Our 15th Anniversary Dinner

2011

For our 15th Anniversary, Canopy welcomed 200 guests for a dinner with Richard Louv. We unveiled our goal to plant 1,000 trees at schools by 2015 through our Healthy Trees, Healthy Kids! program. We hosted a fun and inspiring event, shared our enthusiasm with new and current members, and showed many people new ways to be involved with Canopy. Healthy Trees, Healthy Kids! is a multi-year shade and fruit tree planting initiative that primarily aims to improve school campuses and parks in underserved communities within Southern San Mateo County. The event supported Canopy’s efforts to engage children, community, and corporate volunteers in the revitalization of schools and campuses. The trees we plant will create healthier learning environments for students, bring much-needed shade to play areas, increase energy efficiency of school buildings, break up heat islands on campuses and even provide healthy snacks!

E.O. Wilson: Biodiversity and Our Future, Healing Mother Earth

2008

E.O. Wilson, renowned scientist, author, and environmentalist, spoke at Canopy’s 2009 benefit lecture, E.O. Wilson: Biodiversity and Our Future, Healing Mother Earth.  Drawing a crowd of 850 area residents, educators and students. Dr. Wilson shared his insights on the complexity and diversity of natural ecosystems around the world and how they interconnect, calling for increased research and understanding into the fast disappearing species and environments that sustain our planet. KQED Radio host Michael Krasny emceed the event.

Download a copy (6MB) of Dr. Wilson’s PowerPoint. Check out photos from the event (see Flickr photos) as well as video (see FORA TV).  You can also listen to a KQED radio interview with Michael Krasny.

Sir Thomas Pakenham: A Summer Evening with Remarkable Trees

2008

Photos

Two hundred guests attended Canopy’s 2008 benefit fundraising gala under the London Plane trees of Palo Alto’s Mitchell Park for a summer solstice dinner lecture with author/explorer Sir Thomas Pakenham. Pakenham is the celebrated author of Remarkable Trees of The World and Meetings with Remarkable Trees, among others, about his global travels researching and photographing great trees of the planet.

Nobel Prize Winner Wangari Maathai: Canopy’s 10th Anniversary Celebration Gala

2006

Photos

Canopy celebrated a decade of urban forestry programs with a 2006 gala dinner and reception featuring Nobel Peace Prize Winner Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement. Canopy also launched its East Palo Alto Tree Initiative with a ceremonial tree planting in East Palo Alto.