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OCF's Annual Tree Planting Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A Day of Service To Carry Us Forward

Dear Friends of Our City Forest,

On Monday, January 19, more than 200 volunteers, neighbors, students, and community leaders, as well as our Americorps and Climate Action Corps service members, gathered at San José's Rainbow park to honor Dr. King by giving back through a day of service. Planting trees, transplanting shrubs, picking up litter, and sharing quotes from Dr. King were all a part of this special day.

This year’s planting carried special meaning. We were privileged to dedicate the day to two beloved Tree Amigos who lived in this neighborhood for decades: Ed and Barbara Lo. Over 25 years, they helped plant hundreds of trees at Rainbow Park and throughout San José. Ed Lo was part of Our City Forest’s very first Tree Amigos class in 1994 and later established our beehive operation at the Community Nursery as an accomplished beekeeper. In honor of Ed and Barbara’s extraordinary commitment to this community, we were grateful to recognize their daughters, Karen Lo & Diana Yeung, with a Certificate of Commendation from the City of San José and Councilmember Rosemary Kamei celebrating their legacy of service.

Since 1994, Our City Forest has marked MLK Day with service and, year after year, this day brings people together to improve shared spaces and strengthen community resilience. And that commitment was visible in the neighbors working side by side, students learning what it means to plant and care for a tree, and volunteers returning with a deep sense of responsibility to the places they serve.

We were honored to partner with the City of San José and to be joined by leaders who showed up in service and solidarity, including San José Mayor Matt Mahan, San Jose State University President Cynthia Teniente-Matson, California State Senator Dave Cortese, California State Assemblymember Marc Berman, Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, San Jose City Councilmembers Rosemary Kamei, Anthony Tordillos, and David Cohen, as well as students from San Jose State University and Santa Clara University. Councilmember Kamei’s office also helped fund this planting, making it possible to invest directly in this area.

MLK Day is always a meaningful moment for our service members. As a long-standing host site for AmeriCorps and the California Climate Action Corps through California Volunteers, Our City Forest is proud to support individuals who dedicate their time and energy to climate action and community resilience. Their leadership and care were felt throughout the morning and continue to shape our work year-round.

As we move further into 2026, the spirit of MLK Day stays with us. It reminds us that progress is built through consistent, collective effort, and that showing up together is how healthier, more resilient communities take root.

With gratitude and resolve,

Rhonda Berry
Founding President & CEO, Our City Forest

Check Out Local News Coverage of our MLK Day of Service!

The spirit of the day gained local news coverage from ABC7 News, KRON 4, KTVU and many other outlets. We invite you to view some of the coverage in the video above.

A simple way to give back:
👉 Make a small - or BIG - gift here, if you’re able: www.ourcityforest.org/donate

Tree Plantings at our State of the City and MORE!🍁

We were proud to once again partner with the City of San José and Mayor Matt Mahan as part of the State of the City, marking the occasion with a community tree planting that reflects the City’s commitment to climate resilience and neighborhood investment. Tree plantings tied to civic moments like this reinforce an important message: urban forestry is essential to the future of our city.

This month, Our City Forest also came together for a community planting at the Charter School of Morgan Hill to plant trees that will provide shade, improve air quality, and support student wellness for years to come. We at Our City Forest believe that school-based plantings are investments in learning environments where students can thrive.

We also worked with San Jose Councilmember Domingo Candelas to plant trees at the Weeping Creek Townhomes! Thank you for helping us advance tree equity and climate resilience in this community.

Senator Dave Cortese Visits the OCF Nursery🍃

We were honored to welcome State Senator Dave Cortese to Our City Forest’s Community Nursery & Training Center for a behind-the-scenes look at the work that powers our planting efforts across Santa Clara County. The tour was led by Lee Stephenson, our Community Nursery & Training Center Manager, who walked Senator Cortese through the lifecycle of our trees, from bare root arrivals to long-term care and distribution into neighborhoods, schoolyards, and public spaces. Visits like this are meaningful moments of connection!

AmeriCorps Member of the Month

We are excited to recognize Cindy Balbuena as AmeriCorps Member of the Month! Cindy has made a strong impact at Our City Forest through her contagious spirit, dedication to our mission, and quality of work. As part of the Tree Care Team, Cindy helps ensure our trees stay in good health so they can continue to thrive and make a positive impact in the community for years to come.

Her manager, Marisa, shared that "Cindy brings such a unique energy to Tree Care Team, and the care she has for our shared urban forest is clear as can be. She has an infectious, positive attitude and strives to show the community the importance of maintaining our young trees. Cindy is very inquisitive, excited to learn, and happy to share the knowledge she gains with others. Find Cindy in the field with her team, pruning vandalized trees, removing invasive species from berms, and supporting our growing trees with intentional care."

Bare Roots Season is Here!

Every winter, our Community Nursery & Training Center transforms into a hive of activity as thousands of bare root trees arrive bundled tightly together. We gently pot them into 15-gallon containers so they can grow strong roots before being planted across Santa Clara County in the months and years to come.

Bare Roots Season at the Nursery

Our City Forest Nursery & Training Center
1000 Spring St., San José, CA 95110

👉 Sign up for a Bare Roots volunteer event with us at this link!

FREE TREES!

Did you know you may be eligible for a free street or yard tree provided by Our City Forest?

As recently highlighted in the Mercury News, free trees are available to Sunnyvale and San Jose residents on a first-come, first-served basis, with OCF providing planting and three years of care to ensure long-term health. To check your eligibility and apply, visit ourcityforest.org/free-trees. Our team will follow up to confirm details, permits, and planting support so your tree can thrive for years to come.

Through partnerships with the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and other public agencies, OCF provides trees at no cost to residents, schools, and community sites to expand shade, improve air quality, and strengthen neighborhood canopy, especially in areas most impacted by heat and pollution.

How to Get Started

• Visit our Free Tree page: ourcityforest.org/free-trees

• Enter your address in the map search bar

• If you’re eligible, select a tree from the approved species list

• Our team will follow up to confirm details, permits, and planting support

Calling All Students!

Introducing the Student Steward Program, a pilot volunteer program aimed towards students of all ages! Consistency, dedication, and retention are rewarded through a tier system. The more events a student volunteers for, the higher their ranking, and the greater the rewards. This program aims to inform students of our varying volunteer opportunities, recruit students to engage, continue to volunteer, and reward them for their consistency.

Register for the program, track your attendance after every event, and check out our Eventbrite for all upcoming volunteer opportunities!

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