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A message from OCF President Rhonda Berry...
Our City Forest turns 15 years old this spring! It hasn't always been easy growing an environmental nonprofit over these years, but recently the green movement seems to have caught a bigger wave and we are happy to be riding it.
Our most unique contribution has surely been our strong intent to involve people from all walks of life - different backgrounds, ethnicities, languages and faiths - in the greening of San José. We have invested extensive resources into the human side of the equation and, in the process, become successful volunteer recruiters and coaches while also managing to obtain nearly 50,000 trees and the other resources needed to plant and steward them successfully. Equally important, this vast green machine has maintained enviable tree survival rates, saved hundreds of mature trees, pruned thousands, in addition to conducting presentations for thousands of children and adults on environmental subjects ranging from tree care to water and energy conservation to "eco-holidays" to environmental stewardship.
OCF's mission continues to focus on engaging people in growing a healthy community through education and action initiatives revolving around the urban forest and all its components: trees, vegetation, air, water, earth, animals, insects and people. That the urban forest is a focal point for issues concerning all of these components is an idea whose time has finally arrived.
I have no doubt that San José is on its way to becoming one of our nation's top 10 GREEN CITIES! Here's to the newest green wave, the joy of volunteering, the perseverance of dedicated nonprofits, and to a bright green San José. To take a line from a favorite Timbuktu song, "The future's so bright, I have to wear shades!"
- Rhonda Berry
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Green Additions Along Moorpark Avenue
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| Next time you drive down Moorpark Avenue by San José City College, take note of the 27 beautiful Coast Live Oak trees (Quercus agrifolia) planted along this busy thoroughfare above Highway 280. Thanks to the hard work of community volunteers, a once barren strip of soil and sidewalk will now be shaded by California natives. With help from volunteers, OCF triple-staked each oak for extra protection and lined the area with water-conserving mulch. Congratulations to the Burbank/Del Monte NAC - especially Michael LaRocca and Randi Kinman - who obtained a City grant to help with watering, coordinated with Our City Forest to make the project happen, provided refreshments and recruited community volunteers to assist at the planting. |
Before OCF Planting
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After "Greening" |
As with all its community plantings, OCF provided and delivered the trees, tools, stakes, mulch, arborist expertise, site inspections, auguring, permits, traffic control, trained volunteers and hands-on project supervisors. Considering their busy location, these shade trees have a lot of work to do. They will be on the job 24 hours a day cooling the pavement and asphalt, filtering car fumes, mitigating noise and blocking particulates from reaching sensitive lungs.
With tens of thousands of drivers, students and pedestrians using this avenue daily, the impact of these shade trees cannot be overstated.
Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio
at the Moorpark planting.
Is there a street in your neighborhood that could use some "greening"? Our City Forest can help! Contact Jennifer Albin at (408) 998-7337 x109 for more information.
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Grants Remain FrozenTwo of OCF's State grants remain frozen since December despite the signing of the State budget. The State pooled all bond monies to help with its cash-flow problem, severely impacting grant recipients already implementing their projects. In OCF's case, $100,285 in reimbursements for completed work remain withheld. In addition, another $105,476 of unspent grant funding is in jeopardy since the grants are expiring in March.
One of the frozen grants provides funds for trees citywide. Without this grant, OCF only has free grant trees for central San José neighborhoods. For other areas, OCF is limited to those trees it is cultivating at its Tree Bank. Impacts are also being felt by OCF's tree care and education programs. There is no word as to when or if the funds will be made available.
This problem could reach disastrous levels if the bond programs remain frozen into the next fiscal year beginning in July, effectively cutting off this valuable revenue source altogether. You can help by writing a letter to your State representative asking that funding be restored. If you have questions, please e-mail Rhonda Berry at rberry@ourcityforest.org |
Fruit Tree Give-Away A Success!
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At least 300 San Jose residents waited in line at the Berryessa Flea Market on March 7th to participate in Our City Forest's Fruit Tree Giveaway. With eleven varieties available, participants chose from species such as apple, pear, peach, pomegranate, persimmon and pluot (a hybrid of plum and apricot). Special planting instructions accompanied these young bare root trees, along with the requirement that each be planted within the day to protect their exposed root system. Thanks to all who adopted a tree!
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Over 200 Excited Recipients Received
A Free Fruit Tree From OCF.
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 Local Teen Takes Action For Trees
Thirteen-year old Marika Heinrich decided she wanted to do something positive for the community, and Our City Forest was the lucky beneficiary. This ambitious middle school student from Willow Glen raised an impressive $775 by organizing a walk-a-thon for trees and soliciting help from her family, friends and fellow church members.
This young activist demonstrates the positive power of one individual. Thank you, Marika!
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Spring Tree Amigo Class Graduates
Thirteen new Tree Amigos join OCF's dedicated core of trained volunteers! After completing 18-hours of training by Our City Forest Staff, the new Amigos are ready to help - planting trees, coordinating volunteers, providing tree care, conducting outreach and more. Congratulations to our Spring '09 class!
Want to become a Tree Amigo? Call (408) 99-TREES x105 or e-mail us for more information and to enroll.
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Eagle Scout Project Greens Burbank
Boy Scout Kyle Drager has worked hard to earn his Eagle Scout title, coordinating a planting project that put seven new trees into San Jose's Burbank neighborhood. After training with OCF staff, Drager and fellow scouts went door-to-door encouraging residents to plant shade trees in their parking strips. After months of flyering and outreach, the planting was successfully completed on February 28th. Drager led a seamless event with support from an impressive group of 27 volunteers - including family, friends, scouts and OCF Tree Amigos.
Congratulations on a job well done, Kyle!
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OCF Office Now Green Certified
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As of now Our City Forest's new Mission Street office is officially certified as a Bay Area Green Business! This designation recognizes OCF's efforts to conserve resources, prevent pollution and minimize waste on a daily basis, as we continue to serve as an environmental leader in the community.
Environmentally sound practices have always been the focus of Our City Forest operations. Prior to application, we had already eliminated single-use plastic water bottles, enforced double-sided printing, and purchased only 100% post-consumer waste recycled printer paper. In accordance with the certification requirements, we have since contacted all sources of office junk mail to remove OCF from wasteful mailing lists.
Of course, we are always striving to improve. OCF is currently implementing an electronic version of our Stewardship Report form, allowing residents to respond on-line or through email. We will continue to seek out the most efficient practices for use in our programs and limit our use of natural resources.
The Santa Clara County Green Business Program has certified over 330
consumer-oriented
businesses and public agencies in Santa Clara County since 1996,
offering assistance, recognition and promotion to those that enforce
environmentally responsible operations. For more information on this program, contact the Santa Clara County Green Business Program or Our City Forest.
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Green & Healthy Neighborhoods Arrives!
Back in 2006, Our City Forest took its conceptual idea of "Green & Healthy Neighborhoods" to S.J. Environmental Services Director John Stufflebean for an expert opinion. He gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up! The idea was placed on a back burner, however, when OCF became sidelined with its new AmeriCorps program, expanding from a work force of 5 to 30. With this growth spurt behind it, OCF is back in the saddle with its "Green & Healthy Neighborhoods" program and, with some seed funding from the City and PG&E, will launch the pilot in April.
Green & Healthy Neighborhoods makes it fun, easy and free to live greener. Every person can be a part of San José's Green Vision with this simple program that offers help from "Green Amigo" coaches, a fun action guide and the support of neighbors. Find out how easy it is to reduce your water and energy uses, reduce garbage, eliminate hazardous chemicals, protect your family's health, and more!
Getting involved is easy! To form a group in your area, call (408) 998-7337 x 106 and we'll help you get one started. Our City Forest will provide a Green Amigo coach (you can also be a coach!) who will lead your group through a simple action guide for living green. Your group will meet, discuss and choose action steps to complete together. It is easy, fun and free to be certified Green & Healthy Neighborhood.
Green Amigo Training begins April 1st
4 Wed. 6-8 PM & 4 Sat. 1-4 PM
Together, we can make a difference! For more information and to get involved, call (408) 99-TREES x106 or e-mail rberry@ourcityforest.org
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Celebrate Earth Day with Our City ForestGREEN FAIR
 Saturday, April 18th 11 AM - 3 PM @ Treehouse in the Glen (1275 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose - next to
Long's Drugs off Brace Avenue) * Music & entertainment
* Silent auction (think Mother's Day!)
* Trees, plants & flowers for sale
* Goodies to eat & drink
* Tree planting & pruning workshops
* Tree Mobile Heritage Tree tours
* Free advice from certified arborists
* Photos with O2 the Tree Mascot
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Local Air Quality Receives "F" Grade -
Trees Get An "A+"
Attention Santa Clara County residents, the air you are breathing may cause lung cancer, heart disease, asthma and stroke! According to the American Lung Association's nation-wide State of the Air report, the County's air quality received an "F" grade, due to high levels of ozone and particle pollution which threaten the health of the 1.6 million people living in the San José area.
Urban Tree Cover
The smog and soot produced by burning fossil fuels can be severely damaging, even with short-term exposure. The particulates in these emissions are retained in the lungs and cause damage similar to smoking cigarettes (Churg 2003).
In the past 20 years, asthma rates have risen 50%
Most at risk are the youngest members of our community. Nearly 80% of the lung's air sacs develop after birth, making children especially susceptible to damage and infection (American Lung Assoc. 2005). Particulate pollution can affect lung function throughout a child's life, leading to asthma and even infant death. (World Health Org. 2004) In the past 20 years, childhood asthma rates have risen by a shocking 50%, particularly in low-income city environments where particulate levels are elevated (Center for Disease Control 1998).
How can you help clean our air to protect your family and community? Plant a tree! A recent Columbia University study found that increasing tree density reduces asthma rates substantially (BBC News 2008). Considering that asthma is responsible for one third of all pediatric emergency room visits, planting trees could positively affect countless children (EPA).
Trees are natural air filters, removing pollutants and teeny pieces of dirt that hang in the air called "particulates". Street trees intercept pollutants at the source, filtering up to 60% of the particulates from cars and machinery. In New York City this benefit is valued at over $9.5 million annually due to the decrease in respiratory illness those particulates would otherwise cause (Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation).
Shade trees not only clean dirty air, they also help prevent it from getting dirty in the first place. "Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30% and can save up to 50% in energy used for heating," says the USDA Forest Service. Reducing our reliance on power is an essential component in increasing air quality and protecting human health. Power plants are responsible for approximately "38,000 heart attacks and 24,000 premature deaths each year" (Clean Air Task Force). If every American family planted just one tree near their home, we would save 500,000 barrels of oil a day. And that means lower energy costs for residents, too (Tree Folks 2002).
Let's not forget that trees also produce the oxygen necessary for human life. Two trees generate the O2 needed for one person, per year.
We can all help improve San Jose's air quality, and we invite you to help by planting a tree. Our City Forest offers free "natural air filters" and "natural air conditioners" for streets, parks, schools and yards. No room for a tree? You can still volunteer with us at countless greening events held throughout the year. In our book, trees receive an A+!
Young Volunteers Plant OCF Trees
Learn how about planting "the right tree for the right place" from Our City Forest! To apply for a free tree or volunteer, visit us online or contact our staff at (408) 99-TREES.
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Call To Action
Help Us Reach Our $10,000 Green Fair Goal!
OCF's April 18th GREEN FAIR is fast approaching. To help prepare for our first-ever silent auction, we need your help! Can you ask for silent auction items from your favorite stores or from generous friends?
All donations are tax-deductible, plus the donors will have their businesses promoted at the fair and on our website!
In keeping with the theme, we are targeting 'green' items
or simple gift certificates. Here are just a few ideas:
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- Gift certificates
- Garden tools
- Theater, concert or event tickets
- Themed gift baskets
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- Home improvement services
- Vacation packages & time-shares
- Organic food items
- Tree-themed artwork
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Please contact (408) 998-7337 x106 or e-mail
us for more information
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Heritage Trees - Worth A Look-See
Heritage Oak Group 06-005
Within San José's urban forest are 650 trees in a class to themselves. They are our "Heritage Trees". What does it take to become one? It can be one or more of several factors and not necessarily those of age or height, as one might think. It can also be because of the tree's special history, a wide girth, rare species or other unique quality.
In recognition of this, the City of San José provides individual tribute and protection to these trees. Heritage Trees are safeguarded against illegal removal or pruning by specific laws and regulations, with fines ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 for violation.
To locate a Heritage Tree near you, visit the city's website. Their detailed map includes pictures and information on over 650 local specimens!
Don't see your favorite city tree on that list? Nominate it for Heritage Tree status! Citizens can submit public and private property trees for consideration. The City Council evaluates these requests and officially designates those chosen as Heritage Trees. To nominate a tree, contact the City Arborist at (408)277-2762 or arborist@sanjoseca.gov. If the tree is not on your property, written permission is required from the owner.
drive down University Avenue where
12 Heritage Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) tower above nearby homes
and power lines. And it's nearly impossible to miss Heritage Tree "06-022", an impressive California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa) on Willow Glen Way. This incredible specimen measures over 6 feet across and 226 inches around.
Heritage Sycamore 06-022
Our City Forest conducts Tree-Mobile Tree Tours, including Heritage Tree Tours, for groups of up to 16 people. Call (408) 998-7337 x107 for more information, or catch a tour at the GREEN FAIR in Willow Glen on April 18th!
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Rain or Shine - Volunteers In Action!
To all of our hard-working Tree Amigos and community
volunteers - we couldn't do it without you!
Special thanks to all City of San Jose councilmembers for their ongoing
support and attendance at Our City Forest events.
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Community Reflections
"Thanks for your guidance and inspiration that helped me organize a community to save 9 magnificent Redwoods on our HOA property. Tonight, homeowners came out in force to speak of their attachment to the trees that were slated for removal. Twenty of us stood up for the trees, and all were saved!"
- Kathy Forte
OCF Volunteers Plant for Senior Citizens
"Being a Tree Amigo with Our City Forest has been special for me in many ways. As a child in Ohio, I played among the trees, climbed them and ate their fruit. Planting trees with OCF has kept my childhood present to me. And your best wishes this past year when many things have gone wrong has reminded me how important friendship is. We're moving away, but thanks for everything!"
- Rose Markusic
Cub Scouts Lend A Hand
"I
absolutely love your website, your newsletter, and I would have never
known how to save our majestic trees without your examples of how to
involve the community in the process." - Reader
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Our Arborist Team
Congratulations to Our City Forest's Busara Melrose and Brandon Davis for completing the requirements and exams to become ISA Certified Arborists! And kudos to OCF Field Operations Director & Certified Arborist Christian Bonner who has successfully added the title of "Consulting Arborist" to his name!
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AmeriCorps Member Team
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Over 220 resumes from across the U.S. were received from people interested in the Our City Forest AmeriCorps program. The OCF staff team carefully reviewed every resume and interviewed nearly 60 applicants. Of those original 220 resumes, 22 outstanding individuals were selected to join our AmeriCorps team.
Even in winter rains, these OCF
team members are still smiling.
Over the past 5 months they have received extensive training in topics such as tree planting, tree pruning, tree care, tree identification, data entry, project coordination, outreach and education, and customer service. Using extensive feedback and observations from the first AmeriCorps term, the training was carefully planned to ensure members get the most from their experience.
Five months into the program our outstanding group is as motivated and dedicated as they were in the first month of service, collectively providing a multitude of services to the community. Thanks to our entire team of AmeriCorps members and staff for making this year our best to date!
For information on joining Our City Forest's 2009-2010 AmeriCorps team, contact Monica Nanez at (408) 99-TREES x108.
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Trees & Technology
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Considering the many benefits provided by San Jose's urban forest, it is difficult to assess the true value of this precious natural resource. However, using equations provided by the University of California, it is possible to determine the financial worth of our city trees as they relate to storm water run-off, carbon reduction, energy savings, property value increases, etc.
This knowledge is essential in obtaining federal funding and assistance through green initiatives and would greatly benefit Our City Forest's ability to protect and enhance our urban ecosystem. Unfortunately, there is no accurate inventory of San Jose's trees and therefore no way to calculate their significant overall impact on the area.
That may all change very soon. Thanks to help from dedicated volunteer and GIS specialist Matt Hood, and to the City of San Jose Transportation Department for donating a pair of hand-held devices, OCF is designing and implementing changes to our tree-tracking system. Using GIS (Geographical Information System) technology, trees will be digitally mapped with information such as species, size, health and planting date provided for each. Use of the program will significantly improve Our City Forest's ability to track and monitor stewardship of our trees, in addition to assessing their value.
A reasonably priced and sustainable GIS system can be instituted within OCF but funding, equipment donations and volunteer support are needed to expedite the process. For information on how to help, please contact Brandon Davis at (408) 998-7337 x114.
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March
3 Westmont High School Community Service Fair
4 Parkview Elementary Planet Tree Assembly
4 Tree Amigo Class
5 Boynton High School Planting
5 Tree Bank Work Day
5 Painter Elementary School Planet Tree Presentation
6 Evergreen Valley High Health Fair Educational Presentation
7 Muriel Wright Residential Center Tree Maintenance
7 Tree Amigo Class
7 Tree Bank Work Day
7 Neighborhood Plantings - Zip code 95125
11 McKinley Elementary School Planting
11 Tree Amigo Class Graduation
12 Los Paseos Elementary School Planting
14 Boy Scout Tree Bank Work Day
14 Tree Bank Work Day
14 Neighborhood Plantings - Zip Code 95128
21 Tree Bank Work Day
21 Neighborhood Plantings - Zip Code 95123
25 Monthly OCF Volunteer Meeting
25 Meadows Elementary School Planet Tree Presentation
25 Gunderson High School Community Service Fair
27 Meadows Elementary School Planet Tree Presentation
28 Tree Bank Work Day
28 Neighborhood Plantings - North SJ
28 Lake Cunningham Park Planting
April
1 Green Amigo Class
4 OCF Tree Sale @ Spring Garden Market
4 Tree Bank Work Day
4 Neighborhood Plantings - West SJ
4 OCF Talk @ Go Green School Conference
4 Green Amigo Class
7 Leyva Middle School Planet Tree Presentation
8 Green Amigo Class
9 Tree Talk @ SJSU Sustainability Week
11 Tree Bank Work Day
11 Neighborhood Plantings - East SJ
11 Green Amigo Class
14 Santa Clara University Spring Career Fair Outreach
15 Green Amigo Class
18 GREEN FAIR 11 AM - 3 PM at Treehouse in the Glen
18 Tree Bank Work Day
18 Neighborhood Plantings - South SJ
22 SJSU Earth Day 2009 Outreach
22 Mission College Earth Day 2009 Outreach
22 Green Amigo Class
24 St. James Park Planting
24 Tree Talk @ Evergreen Library
25 Mise Park Planting
25 Tree Bank Work Day
25 Neighborhood Plantings - Central SJ
25 Spring in Guadalupe Gardens Outreach
25 Boy Scouts Forester Badge Workshop
25 Green Amigo Class
29 Green Amigo Class
30 Horace Mann Elementary Planet Tree Presentation
For your convenience, tree-planting and tree-care events are listed in green, educational
presentations & outreach events in blue and OCF meetings, workshops and classes in red!
Please check the online calendar for times and updates!
Call (408) 998-7337 x105 or e-mail OCF to volunteer.
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OCF Community Partners
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Bring your own bag when you shop at Whole Foods Market in Los Gatos this month and put your nickel towards OCF! The Nickels For Non-profits program is just one way Whole Foods has continued to support Our City Forest.
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Specialty card store Paper Shouts Inc. showed true holiday spirit by pledging a percentage of their 2008 holiday profits to Our City Forest. Their generosity is greatly appreciated!
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Thanks For Your Support!
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Majestic Oaks - $500+
Kenneth Aring
Nancy & Alan Covington
The Kent and Rita Norton Foundation
Matt Hood
PG&E
Redwood Circle - $100-$499
Joyce & Perry Absher
Rodolfo & Imelda Alba
Kristen Albright
Mark Beaudoin
Iris Berke
Dilworth Elementary School
John & Karen Engell-English
David & Aiko Fadness
Suzanne Gilbert
Shon & Julie Grabbe
Richard & Ruth Heinrichs
Raymond Jou
Kiwanis Club of West San Jose
Charles & Marjorie Landshof
Ed & Barbara Lo
Homer Miller
Victoria Ortiz
Paper Shouts Inc.
H. William Poor
Laurel Prevetti
Sandra Price
Kirk Shepherd
Loui Tucker
Elaine Varga
Renee & Marc Vonbergen
Tree Ambassadors - Up to $99
Sungai Ahn
Evangelina Albano
Anonymous
Anonymous
Don & Donna Beebe
Joseph & Mary Bell
Elizabeth Berry
Laura Binning
Don & Maria Blankenship
Ernie & Barbara Broglio
Ruby Burns David Cajigas
Benigna Castillo
Rufino & Adoracion Castro
David Chaid
Yi-Liang & Peggy Chang
Doug & Gail Cheeseman
John & Frances Chiavetta
Dale & Jeanette Christy
Jeffrey & Melanie Clowers
Myrna & Sinclair Cohen
Orlando & Victoria Collantes
Kevin Dec
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Patricia Denton
Michael & Yvonne Derse
Charles & Janet Doubleday
Ruth Eastlack
Lorraine Evans
Greg Gardner
Helen Gjerde
Jean Goetsch
Joseph Grasso
Ann & R.W. Greneveld
Robin & Richard Hayr
Francis & Grace Howley
Mae Isonaga
Dale & Anne Jones
David & Tiralisa Kaplow
Dennis & Janet Keene
Houda & Assad Khalaf
Richard & Karen King
Phyllis Koeppe
Arvind Kumar
Wilbert Kyan
Yuen-Mei Lam
William Lambson
Scott & Lizabeth Lefaver
Harry Levinson
Steven & Jennifer Logan
Desiree Mehrabian
Brent & Amanda Mosby
Nancy Nguyen
Lisa Nichols
Nicholas & Mary Anne Nicolas
David & Maureen Noel
Anissa Noteboom
Helen Pessillo
Kathleen Pettis
Marcia Ratcliffe
Evangeline & JoJo Reyes
Marilyn Rodgers
Maria Schraff
Joseph & Kathleen Stewart
Phoebe & Scott Stewart
Jonathan & Ashely Straus
Jean Sutherland
Carol Treachler
Richard Tretten
Celina Trevino
Sandra Vallery
Johnny Villalobos
Ellie Weiner
Philipp & Ingrid Wieland
Kam-Sun Wong
Yuen-Mei Lam
Barbra & Warren Wong
Dave Zuverink
Whole Foods
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