| Helping people help trees since 1994! |
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Dear Friends of Our City Forest,
Our City Forest is thrilled to invite you to our first-ever fundraising gala, Growing Our Future: An Evening with Our City Forest, on Friday, September 25, 2026 at Mexican Heritage Plaza.
This milestone event will bring together longtime supporters, volunteers, community leaders, public partners, corporate partners, and friends of the urban forest to celebrate more than three decades of impact. Since our founding, Our City Forest has believed in the power of trees and the power of people. Trees cool our streets, clean our air, support wildlife, reduce heat, and make our neighborhoods more beautiful and livable. But people are what make this work possible. Every tree planted, watered, mulched, pruned, and cared for represents a community choosing to invest in the future.
The gala will help support OCF’s core work, including community tree planting, young tree care, nursery operations, climate resilience projects, environmental education, and workforce development programs that introduce young people to careers in conservation and urban forestry. We hope you will join us as we celebrate where we have been and grow what comes next.
Event Details Growing Our Future Gala Friday, September 25, 2026 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM Mexican Heritage Plaza 1700 Alum Rock Avenue, San José, CA 95116
Tickets include admission, dinner, and program. We invite you to join us by purchasing individual tickets or reserving a table. Tables are a wonderful way to bring friends, colleagues, or community partners together in support of Our City Forest.
Buy Tickets or Reserve a Table: www.tinyurl.com/OCFGALA2026 |
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| | With gratitude and excitement,
 Rhonda Berry
Founding President & CEO, Our City Forest |
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🌿 Big Improvements Coming to Our Community Nursery
Our Community Nursery & Training Center is where so much of Our City Forest’s work begins.
This year, we are excited to move forward important upgrades to our nursery production area, updating and improving the production area by installing a new shade structure, improving our existing shade house area, and adding a water refill station.
Shade is essential for protecting young trees and plants during hot weather, especially as summers become longer and more intense. Improved growing areas help us care for nursery stock more efficiently, reduce plant stress, and support healthier trees before they are planted in the community. We are grateful for support from Valley Water’s Safe, Clean Water Program, which is helping make these Community Nursery Upgrades possible. |
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Planned nursery upgrades will improve growing conditions for young trees and create a better experience for staff, volunteers, and community members.
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🌿 Beautifying Tully Community Fields
This summer, Our City Forest is continuing work to beautify and restore areas around Tully Community Fields with support from BeautifySJ and California Volunteers.
This project supports native habitat planting and sheet mulching along the Coyote Creek Trail corridor. We are replacing non-functional turf and weedy areas with climate-appropriate native trees, shrubs, and understory plants.
At Tully Fields, volunteers and OCF staff are helping prepare planting areas, spread mulch, support young native plants, and improve the site for long-term habitat value. Native trees and shrubs will help increase shade and cooling over time, support stormwater infiltration, create habitat for birds and pollinators, and contribute to a healthier watershed corridor. |
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Summer Tree Care Reminder: Young Trees Need Water
Summer is here, and that means young trees need extra care.
The first few years after planting are some of the most important years in a tree’s life. During this time, a young tree is still developing its root system and adjusting to its new home. Regular watering, especially during hot and dry months, can make the difference between a tree that struggles and a tree that grows strong for decades.
As a general rule, most young trees need about 10–15 gallons of water per week during the first year. A helpful approach is to water about 5 gallons every 3–4 days, adjusting based on weather, soil conditions, drainage, and the needs of the specific tree.
Here are a few tree care reminders for summer: Water deeply and slowly so the water reaches the rootball. Water in the early morning or evening when possible. Keep the watering basin clear of weeds and grass. Use mulch or woodchips to help conserve soil moisture. Check the soil a few inches below the surface. It should feel moist, but not soggy. Do not rely on lawn sprinklers alone. Young trees usually need additional deep watering. Too little water can stress or kill a young tree, but too much water can also be harmful. The goal is steady, deep watering that helps roots grow strong and healthy.
OCF is here to help every step of the way. Residents can receive planting guidance at the Community Nursery, watch OCF’s Instructional Planting Video, or attend a community planting event to learn hands-on with OCF staff and volunteers.
Helpful planting and care resources:
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Pollinator Palaces: DIY Bee Hotel Workshop |
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Native bees are some of the hardest-working members of our local ecosystem.
They help pollinate gardens, native plants, fruit trees, and flowering shrubs. But many native bees do not live in large hives like honeybees. Instead, they nest in small holes, hollow stems, and natural materials that can be hard to find in urban environments.
Join Our City Forest for Pollinator Palaces: DIY Bee Hotel Workshop, a hands-on workshop exploring California’s native pollinators, the plants they love, and the simple ways we can create habitat for them at home.
Participants will learn about native bees and pollinator-friendly plants, then roll up their sleeves and build their own mason bee hotel. All materials will be provided.
Pollinator Palaces: DIY Bee Hotel Workshop Saturday, July 11 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Urban Forestry Education Center 391 Chynoweth Ave, San José, CA RSVP HERE |
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AmeriCorps Members of the Month! |
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Congratulations to our June AmeriCorps Member of the Month, Aster! Aster has been serving with OCF's Nursery Team for the past two years and has become an invaluable member of our program. As the Nursery Team Lead, Aster is always ready to support volunteers, share their extensive knowledge of trees and shrubs, and keep our nursery thriving. Known as one of our "Irrigation Wizards," Aster's expertise and dedication help ensure our plants receive the care they need to flourish. Thank you, Aster, for your leadership, passion, and commitment to growing a greener community! |
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For the month of July, we have two AmeriCorps Members of the Month!
Congratulations to co-July AmeriCorps Member of the Month, Brigitte! As a member of OCF's Nursery Team, Brigitte has been an incredible leader in plant identification and the creation of educational signage throughout our nursery. Her creativity and graphic design talents have helped make our educational materials both engaging and visually beautiful, ensuring that the information leaving our nursery is as inspiring as the California native plants we grow. Whether she's working in the transplanting area or brightening someone's day with her smile, Brigitte's passion, attention to detail, and dedication shine through in everything she does. Thank you, Brigitte, for helping educate our community and making OCF a more welcoming and beautiful place! |
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Georgia has been a ray of sunshine on the Tree Care Team during her term thus far with OCF. She is inquisitive, committed to sustainability, and always happy to lend a helping hand to a teammate. Georgia is also an excellent educator - assisting folks through tree care maintenance activities at volunteer events, and hosting workshops to teach community members about mycelium! You can find Georgia pruning, mulching, re-staking and generally giving trees some TLC out and about in the community. |
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🌿 Volunteer of the Month! |
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Jason Bechdolt started volunteering at Our City Forest because he wanted to have a fun weekly activity outside of his studies at San Jose State University. He is now one of our most regular volunteers, coming in once or twice a week. His newly acquired OCF t-shirt and his vast knowledge base make him blend in with our staff. We are so grateful for his many hours of hard work! Thank you Jason! |
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| | | Welcome Our New San José Works Summer Interns
We are excited to welcome a new cohort of San José Works summer interns to Our City Forest. San José Works connects young people to meaningful paid work experience and career pathways. At Our City Forest, San José Works interns are gaining hands-on experience in urban forestry, nursery operations, environmental stewardship, and community service. They are learning what it takes to care for young trees, support volunteer events, maintain nursery spaces, and contribute to the long-term health of the urban forest.
This summer, OCF interns have been working alongside our staff, service members, and volunteers while learning about the responsibility, teamwork, and technical skills that go into maintaining a healthy community forest.
Welcome to the team! |
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| FREE TREES IN SUNNYVALE!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 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
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| Serve with Our City Forest: AmeriCorps Opportunities!
Are you interested in trees, climate action, community service, or environmental education?
Our City Forest is currently recruiting AmeriCorps members to support our urban forestry programs. AmeriCorps service members play a vital role in our work, helping with tree planting, tree care, nursery operations, outreach, volunteer engagement, and environmental education.
Serving with OCF is a hands-on way to build skills, support the community, and gain experience in the growing field of climate resilience and conservation. Members work alongside experienced staff, community volunteers, and public partners while helping expand and care for the urban forest.
This is a great opportunity for people who want to make a difference, learn practical environmental skills, and serve communities across Santa Clara County.
Learn more and fill out our interest form: www.ourcityforest.org/americorps-openings |
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| | 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 - Come on Down Any Thursday, Friday or Saturday Morning!
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 Thursday, July 9 | 9:00 AM Friday, July 10 | 9:00 AM Saturday, July 11 | 9:00 AM Thursday, July 16 | 9:00 AM Friday, July 17 | 9:00 AM Saturday, July 18 | 9:00 AM Thursday, July 23 | 9:00 AM Friday, July 24 | 9:00 AM Saturday, July 25 | 9:00 AM Thursday, July 30 | 9:00 AM Friday, July 31 | 9:00 AM Saturday, August 1 | 9:00 AM Thursday, August 6 | 9:00 AM Friday, August 7 | 9:00 AM Saturday, August 8 | 9:00 AM Thursday, August 13 | 9:00 AM Friday, August 14 | 9:00 AM
Urban Forestry Education Center Workdays
Join us in planting and caring for trees in neighborhoods and schools; activities may include planting, staking, mulching, watering, and hands-on community greening.
Urban Forestry Education Center
391 Chynoweth Ave, San Jose, CA 95136 Saturday, July 11 | 9:00 AM Saturday, July 18 | 9:00 AM Saturday, July 25 | 9:00 AM Saturday, August 1 | 9:00 AM Saturday, August 8 | 9:00 AM
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, July 11 | 9:00 AM — Pollinator Palaces: DIY Bee Hotel Workshop Saturday, July 18 | 9:00 AM — DIY Lawn Conversion Workshop
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.
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| | | | | | | Ways You Can Support Our Work: |
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