| Helping people help trees since 1994! |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Dear Friends of Our City Forest,
Happy Earth Month! There is something hopeful about April and the urban forest. The days are longer, the birds are tweeting excitedly, and young trees are taking root across our neighborhoods, schools, and parks. April reminds us that planting a tree is a choice to believe that cooler streets, cleaner air, healthier communities, and more beautiful public spaces are worth building together. That spirit is at the heart of Arbor Day and of everything we do at Our City Forest.
On April 25 at 8:45 AM, please join us and the Brigadoon Neighborhood Association at San José’s Brigadoon Park for our Annual Arbor Day Planting!We are ever so grateful to our event sponsors: Microsoft (through the Arbor Day Foundation), City of San José, and Santa Clara University. See you there!
Arbor Day Celebration & PlantingSaturday, April 25 at 8:45 AM Brigadoon Park, San José |
|
| |
As we head deeper into spring, we invite you to join us this Arbor Day. From longtime volunteers to first-time participants, every person who shows up is helping grow a greener community one act of care at a time.
With gratitude and excitement,
 Rhonda Berry Founding President & CEO, Our City Forest |
|
|
| | | | |
🌿 In the Field: Plantings & Nursery Work
Recently, we were proud to join community leaders and volunteers for neighborhood tree plantings in East San José, directly across from Reid–Hillview Airport, as well as at Hillview Park, Mount Pleasant Elementary School . A special thank you to Supervisor Betty Duong, representatives from Councilmember Peter Ortiz’s office, and the Plata Arroyo Neighborhood Association for joining us and helping make these events a success. |
|
|
|
We were also thrilled to welcome volunteers from Cadence Giving Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Cadence Design Systems, to our nursery for a recent bare root planting day. Their team jumped right in, helping plant and prepare trees that will soon take root in communities across Santa Clara County. |
|
| | |
🌿 April Workshops & Special Events
Santa Teresa Community Planting
Join us for a hands-on morning of tree planting as we work to transform Santa Teresa into a greener, healthier corridor. Volunteers will help plant and care for new trees that will provide shade, reduce air and noise pollution, and enhance the neighborhood for years to come. No experience needed; our team will provide all tools, training, and guidance to get you started.
Saturday, April 18 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Allen Avenue & Santa Teresa Blvd San Jose, CA 95123 RSVP HERE

Ida Jew Elementary & Boeger Middle School Planting with Friends of White Road Saturday, May 2 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM 1966 Flint Avenue
San Jose, CA 95148
RSVP HERE
Join OCF and Friends of White Road for a school planting to green local school campuses and support student learning environments through tree planting. This event is being led by in partnership with Our City Forest as well as California Climate Action Corps, a program of California Volunteers, Office of the Governor, with support from California ReLeaf, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), AmeriCorps California, and PG&E.

Annual Spring Festival at Our City Forest Nursery Saturday, May 9 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Community Nursery & Training Center 1000 Spring St, San Jose, CA 95110 RSVP HERE
Join us for our Annual Spring Fest! A fun, family-friendly day with workshops, music, games, and opportunities to connect with the community.

Herbalism & Shrub Workshop Series
Processing (Herbal Crafting, Tea Brewing & Oils) RSVP HERE

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
🌿 Bare Roots 2026 was a Success! |
|
|
|
|
|
| | |
| 🌿Community Partner Spotlight: Bay Area Older Adults
Adults age 50+ are invited to join a series of guided outdoor experiences this April, including a shore birding walk at Lake Cunningham and two wildflower hikes with scenic views across the region. These expert-led outings are a great way to stay active, connect with nature, and explore some of the Bay Area’s most beautiful landscapes. Friday, April 17 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM — Wildflower Hike (Calero area) Wednesday, April 22 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM — Wildflower Trek (Russian Ridge)
👉 Learn more and register: https://www.bayareaolderadults.org/april |
|
| | |
| DIY Lawn Conversion Workshops Every Third Saturday | Urban Forestry Education Center, 391 Chynoweth Ave, San Jose, CA 95136
Join us for a hands-on workshop where we’ll teach you how to transform a traditional lawn into a drought-tolerant, climate-smart garden. Participants will learn about the Valley Water Landscape Rebate Program, how to select the right plants for their yard, and the practical steps to removing turf and installing a water-wise landscape. The workshop also includes a guided shrub identification tour around our Education Center, giving you real-world examples and resources to start your own lawn conversion at home. A lawn conversion is about more than landscaping, it changes the infrastructure of our yards to conserve water, improve rainwater retention, regenerate soil, and create food and habitat for birds, bees, and butterflies. This workshop is designed for adults and homeowners interested in converting their own lawns; we kindly ask that high school volunteers attend one of our other community events instead. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| 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
|
|
| | |
| | Join us for hands-on mornings of greening our community. No experience needed; we provide tools, gloves, and training! Sign up on our Eventbrite or email volunteer@ourcityforest.org
Nursery Workdays Help grow the trees and plants that will green our communities, activities may include potting seedlings, transplanting, watering, and general nursery care.
Our City Forest Nursery & Training Center 1000 Spring St., San José, CA 95110 Saturday, Apr 11 | 9:00 AM — Nursery Workday Thursday, Apr 16 | 9:00 AM — Nursery Workday Friday, Apr 17 | 9:00 AM — Nursery Workday Saturday, Apr 18 | 9:00 AM — Nursery Workday Thursday, Apr 23 | 9:00 AM — Nursery Workday Friday, Apr 24 | 9:00 AM — Nursery Workday
Pocket Forest Workdays Support the growth of dense, climate-resilient mini forests through activities like planting, mulching, weeding, and maintaining young trees.
Urban Forestry Education Center 391 Chynoweth Ave, San Jose, CA 95136 Saturday, Apr 11 | 9:00 AM — Pocket Forest Workday Wednesday, Apr 15 | 9:00 AM — Pocket Forest Workday Saturday, Apr 18 | 9:00 AM — Pocket Forest Workday Wednesday, Apr 22 | 9:00 AM — Pocket Forest Workday
Community Plantings & Tree Care Join us in planting and caring for trees in neighborhoods and schools, activities may include planting, staking, mulching, watering, and hands-on community greening.
Saturday, Apr 18 | 9:00 AM — Santa Teresa Community Planting at Allen Avenue & Santa Teresa Blvd, San Jose, CA 95123.
Saturday, Apr 25 | 8:45 AM — Arbor Day Celebration Planting at Brigadoon Park located at Brigadoon Way, San Jose, CA 95121.
Saturday, May 2 | 9:00 AM — Community Planting at Ida Jew Elementary & Boeger Middle School at 1966 Flint Avenue, San Jose, CA 95148.
Workshops and Community Learning
Learn practical, hands-on skills for sustainable landscaping and urban forestry.
Urban Forestry Education Center 391 Chynoweth Ave, San Jose, CA 95136 Saturday, Apr 18 | 9:00 AM — DIY Lawn Conversion Workshop
Saturday, May 2 | 9:00 AM — Herbalism Workshop (Part 2: Processing)
How to JoinSign up on our Eventbrite or email volunteer@ourcityforest.org with any questions. We’ll provide everything you need; just bring your energy and willingness to serve.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| | | | | | | Ways You Can Support Our Work: |
|
| | | |
| | | |
|
|
|
| |
|