Community Consciences

BRANCHING OUT
Our City Forest bring people together for the sake of trees

A San José non-profit organization is increasing property values, saving taxpayers/ money, lowering utility bills, and attracting tourism—all by planting trees.

While most people's thoughts turn to trees in April on Earth Day and Arbor Day, Our City Forest receives grants from the city of San Jose and the state of California to plant shade trees around San Jose all year long.

The trees planted by Our City Forest can reduce city temperatures by three to 10 degrees; filter air contaminants; absorb noise; and provide habitat for birds and animals. They also help beautify the city, enhancing businesses and tourists.

Community participation has been crucial for the organization's success since it formed in 1994. During the past decade more than 100,000 people have been involved with Our City Forest, helping to plant over 80,000 trees.

"The programs we develop and operate are all based on community involvement," says Rhonda Berry, CEO and president of Our City Forest. "We've had such great success. We have volunteers from all walks of life and of all ages. It has really been amazing."

"Tree Amigos" is a critical group of volunteers for Our City Forest. The common thread of Tree Amigoes is that "they want a greater connection to home," Berry says. "'Home' being our planet, our nature, our city."

Tree Amigos go through an extensive 18 hour training program to become certified in coaching community volunteers on how to properly care for newly planted trees—a process that begins even before a tree is planted. For instance, a community resident must sign a contract agreeing to look after a tree and report back to Our City Forest over a three-year period. A tree cannot be planted until it is adopted.

"There's a pride of ownership when you invite somebody and engage them to be part of this important event," Berry says. "They take it on as a big responsibility, and they enjoy it."

The extra effort pays off. While a young tree normally survives 50 percent of the time, the trees planted by Our City Forest volunteers have a 90 percent success rate.

Neighborhoods, schools, and even singles groups are getting involved in planting trees. Berry says witnessing how tree planting brings people, and in particular neighborhoods, together is one of the most rewarding aspects of her job. "The neighbors are smiling more, because they all met when they were planting their trees."

To apply for a tree grant on behalf of your neighborhood or school, or to see scheduled events and Tree Amigos training courses, call (408) 99.TREES or visit www.ourcityforest.org

by Marsea Nelson, San Jose Magazine, April 2005, p. 14