Fall 2007 Edition

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Team Arrives to Green San Jose

OCF Staff, community service members, and mascot Gracie.

The Our City Forest (OCF) office was abuzz October 2nd as a small group of staff awaited new team members. After months of interviewing and extensive preparation, the OCF family would finally meet its 22 community service members face-to-face. Thanks to federal funding through a three-year AmeriCorps grant, the once small organization has quintupled in size, adding a fresh group of dedicated individuals to an already remarkable team.

Members assembled from across the country, ranging in age from 18 to "no comment." Some tout extensive experience in forestry and botany, while others openly admit to their naiveté on the subject of urban trees or greenery in general. Despite this difference, a common thread is obvious: each signed up to make a difference. A contract of ten months is required for this program, and despite a modest living allowance and even cross-national relocation, each member was committed and enthusiastic regarding their new assignment.

"I came from New Hampshire so I could work for the environment and the people.  This job lets me do both," says Micah Jean.  After moving 3,000 plus miles on less than two weeks notice, he has begun training as an Urban Forestry Specialist. From tending stock at the Tree Bank to leading planting demonstrations and pruning, he and the other Urban Forestry Specialists will ensure Our City Forest reaches its many ambitious goals for the coming year.

Additional members are training as environmental educators and volunteer recruitment specialists. As OCF relies heavily on support from the community and its dedicated Tree Amigos, recruiting and training volunteers is a backbone to its success. Teaching the future caretakers of the urban forest falls on OCF's Planet Tree, Outreach and Tree Trek programs. Through tabling at community events, teaching in classrooms and leading tree tours, these members are helping residents understand and appreciate the presence of trees in their city.

Two new urban foresters have joined the OCF ranks, bringing to five the number of managers training and coordinating the community service members. The new staff are Busara Melrose from Wisconsin, and Brandon Davis from Idaho.

The sudden growth spurt marks a new and exciting chapter in OCF's record of success.  Considering the accomplishments of the small team over the past 15 years, one can only imagine the achievements to come. The combined enthusiasm and passion among the new team means we are one step closer to the "green" vision of San Jose that was once only a far-fetched aspiration.

Green Vision Adopted in SJ

The move to go green seems to be everywhere these days, and if it's up to Mayor Chuck Reed our city will be a leader in environmental stewardship. Over the next 15 years the Mayor has proposed to transform San Jose into the greenest city in the nation, if not the world, and he has 10 Green Vision Goals to help guide the way:
One of the goals near and dear to OCF is to plant 100,000 new trees over the next 15 years. Trees are a natural way to reduce energy costs, filter air, improve water quality and simply bring beauty to our surroundings. We applaud Mayor Reed and the entire City Council for adopting the Green Vision October 30th. May the work of OCF continue strong!

To learn more about the Green Vision goals: www.ourcityforest.org and click "News."

SJ Vice Mayor Dave Cortese (right), congratulates everyone at OCF's open house (above). Joining the Vice Mayor were Councilmembers Pierluigi Oliverio, Sam Liccardo, Kansen Chu, and Judy Chirco's aide Diane Miller.

A New Home!

Two energetic teams in training – one for environmental service, the other for police service – are now housed together in a sea of windows and corridors at 151 West Mission Street. The City of S.J. has generously provided OCF with the 4,900 sq. ft. wing that previously housed the City Attorney's office. 

City staff, too many to list, from General Services, Dept. of Transportation, Public Works, the City Attorney's Office, the Police Department and the City Manager's Office all helped to arrange for the space just in the nick of time for October's launching of OCF's expanded program. The City Council approved the re-use of the facility in September. The week prior to moving, a large amount of furniture was generously donated by a Sunnyvale company going out of business as well as a previous office building partner.  

On hand to make the physical move from Park Ave. to Mission St. possible were members of OCF's faithful team of volunteer Tree Amigos: Carl Ward, Louie Urbina, Ken Hardy, Franci Card, Martin Renteria and Carol Arnoldy. These Amigos have worked with OCF for many years and have, themselves, been a huge contributing factor to making OCF's expansion a reality.

Thank you to the S.J. Mayor and City Council, City staff, Tree Amigos and donors for making the move possible and giving our expanded team of 31 an office home.

Thank You

The Mountain View based company, Loopt, donated the use of 26 cell phones to OCF. Loopt also kicked in free minutes, data plans, and free subscription to their social networking service. The service bridges the gap between cellular, internet, and global positioning technology, giving users tools such as the location of their coworkers (or friends) on a real-time map display visible on the screen of their phones.

Thank you Loopt for your generosity! For more information on Loopt services, visit www.loopt.com.

Climate Change Calculator
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Choose a Living Tree!
Make your holiday greener this year by buying a living tree from a nursery, and donating it afterwards to Our City Forest for planting. For more information on how to buy and care for a living tree, click here.

Fighting Illegal Tree Activities

Workshops Pruning workshops in Spanish and English are an important service not only to residents but to gardeners and local landscapers. Pruning young trees during their early years reduces significantly the need for structural pruning later.

Outreach & Education Hundreds of volunteers distributed nearly 10,000 door hangers to combat illegal tree removal and malpruning. Aiding the cause were nearly 100 employees from Deloitte.

Volunteers Needed! Volunteers are needed for classroom presentations. Call 408-99-TREES ext. 123

Support OCF While You Shop Do you shop on Amazon? OCF will receive a 4% referral donation from purchases made on amazon.com after clicking the link on our web site: ourcityforest.org, on the Support OCF page.

Gold Leaf Award

Our City Forest recently received its second Gold Leaf Award from the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture, recognizing OCF's outstanding event coordination and beautification. The award was presented at August's ISA International Conference in Waikiki and accepted by Mark Beaudoin, Vice-Chair of Our City Forest's board of directors.

Eco-Silicon Valley