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As we look back on this season of gratitude, the team at Our City Forest wants to extend a heartfelt thank you to every volunteer, partner and supporter who helped grow a greener, healthier, more connected community this year. From community-powered plantings to youth-led climate projects, we continued to strengthen our urban forest right here in Silicon Valley. You make this work possible.
As we gather with loved ones and pause to reflect this season, I’ve been thinking about what it really means to grow community. And how much of that begins the same way the urban forest begins: with one small seed, nurtured by many hands and through shared purpose.
This fall reminded us of what is possible when a community refuses to give up on each other. At Little Branham Lane, along McKee Road, in our schools, parks, medians, and nurseries, you showed up to plant trees and show that climate resilience is not an abstract idea. It is people, of all ages and backgrounds, rolling up their sleeves together.
This month, state leaders joined us to recognize the power of community-driven climate action and highlighted Our City Forest’s long-standing partnership with state programs like California Volunteers and the California Climate Action Corps.
California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday captured this beautifully when he said, “From schoolyards to neighborhoods, Californians, especially young people, are leading the way. The California Climate Action Corps started here with partners like Our City Forest, and we’re building on that momentum to clean our air and create pathways to good, purpose-driven jobs.”
Every volunteer, student, AmeriCorps member, and partner who came together this year helped prove that right here in our own neighborhoods.
Your support creates those pathways every single day: through tree plantings, schoolyard greening, climate education, and hands-on service.
So, this Thanksgiving, from all of us at Our City Forest: thank you.
Thank you for planting with us, teaching with us, trusting us, volunteering with us, and believing that a greener, healthier, more equitable Silicon Valley is something worth fighting for.
If you’re feeling grateful for the trees in your life - the ones outside your window, shading your child’s walk to school, greeting you on morning walks, or waiting patiently at our nursery for their forever home - I hope you’ll consider supporting the work that keeps them thriving.
We are grateful for your partnership.
 Rhonda Berry
Founding President & CEO, Our City Forest |
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Wishing you a warm, safe, and connected Thanksgiving season.
We’re grateful for you. 🍂🌳 |
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🍂 Fall Festival Magic at Our NurseryWorkshops, music, partners, and over 200 neighbors brought the season to life
OCF’s Fall Festival was a big success. Over two hundred visitors joined us at our plant nursery! The festival featured many educational workshops, including shrub transplanting, succulent care, DIY lawn bust, and seed processing. We also had various arts and crafts activities and outdoor games for children of all ages to join in on the fun. Fall Fest brought many local organizations and partners to our nursery, who shared their resources and knowledge with the community.
These organizations included Breathe California, Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, Saved By Nature, Master Composters, LGBTQ Youth Space, Tom’s Old Wormery, HEVI, Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, and Valley Water. The nursery was filled with whimsical charm as the Santa Clara Valley Fiddlers’ Association delighted our guests with their spectacular musical performance. Our annual Fall Festival could not have been a success without the support of community members like you. We can’t wait to see everyone again next year! |
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Pictured from left to right: Aster Min, OCF AmeriCorps Team Lead; Rhonda Berry, OCF Founding President & CEO; Mario Lopez, Representative from State Senator Dave Cortese’s Office; and Ayesha Charagulla, Executive Director of Empower & Excel. |
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Partnering with San José City Leaders to Grow a Greener City🌿
Celebrating Our Work with Councilmember Peter Ortiz in East San José
Over the past month, Our City Forest partnered with San José Councilmember Peter Ortiz to green East San José through two major community plantings along McKee Road. Together with over 120 volunteers, students, and neighborhood leaders, we planted a total of 85 new trees along McKee Road, adding much-needed shade and cleaner air along one of the city’s most heavily traveled corridors. We were joined by volunteers from Analog Devices as well as community group Latinos United for a New America (LUNA), whose partnership helped make the day an even greater success.
These plantings were truly community-powered. Volunteers learned proper tree-planting techniques, worked side-by-side with OCF’s planting team, and helped prepare each tree for long-term health through mulching, staking, and tying. Councilmember Ortiz’s leadership and the partnership with LUNA made this effort possible, and we are grateful for their commitment to advancing environmental justice and expanding the urban canopy in historically underserved neighborhoods.
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🍃Thank you, Councilmember Ortiz, for sharing this wonderful video greeting and for championing community-powered greening in East San José!🍃 |
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Join Councilmember Anthony Tordillo
for a Community Tree Planting in Downtown San José
We’re excited to partner with San José Councilmember Anthony Tordillo for a community tree planting this weekend in District 3! Bring friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers - no experience needed. Tools, gloves, and training are all provided. Volunteers will help plant new street and park trees, learn tree-planting best practices, and work alongside the OCF team.
WHEN
Saturday, December 6, 2025
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
WHERE
Orchard Park
1097 Pear Orchard Dr., San José
RSVP HERE tinyurl.com/D3TreePlanting
This is a great opportunity to meet neighbors and help grow the local canopy. We hope to see you there! |
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| | AmeriCorps Member of the Month |
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Yijun Fang joined OCF as an AmeriCorps member last month and has already made a resounding impression on the team. For her hard work, dedication, and commitment to OCF’s mission, Yijun has been selected as AmeriCorps Member of the Month. As part of our Tree Care Team, Yijun goes around the community tending to the various trees OCF has planted around San Jose, ensuring that our trees remain healthy and strong.
“When I see water sprouts on a tree, I see a sign it’s asking for a little help. It’s incredibly rewarding to clear the berm or tend to its roots, giving the tree the space it needs to breathe and truly thrive,” says Yijun.
We are grateful and excited to have Yijun with us at Our City Forest for her AmeriCorps service year.
Yijun is a ray of sunshine on the OCF Tree Care Team. She is passionate and excited about ensuring young trees in our community have a strong start and are well supported, and she is happy to teach those who share in this passion. Yijun’s attention to detail and enthusiasm for urban forestry lead to upbeat community events with happy people and happy trees! |
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Join us for a hands-on morning of greening the community!
Volunteers will help plant new trees that will provide shade, cleaner air, and beauty for years to come. You’ll learn proper tree-planting techniques and work alongside our team on tasks such as: Digging holes for new trees Planting and positioning trees for long-term growth Mulching to retain moisture and protect roots Staking and tying trees to support them as they establish Nursery stewardship tasks such as watering, weeding, potting, and general plant care
Nursery Workdays
Community Nursery & Training Center
1000 Spring St, San José, CA 95110
(408) 785-2302 Thursday, December 4th from 9am – 12pm Friday, December 5th from 9am – 12pm Saturday, December 6th from 9am – 12pm Thursday, December 11th from 9am – 12pm Friday, December 12th from 9am – 12pm Saturday, December 13th from 9am – 12pm Thursday, December 18th from 9am – 12pm Friday, December 19th from 9am – 12pm Saturday, December 20th from 9am – 12pm
Additional December Community EventsOrchard Park Community Planting
Saturday, December 6th from 9am – 12pm
1097 Pear Orchard Dr, San José, CA
Nursery Stewardship Day: Composting
Saturday, December 13th from 9am – 12pm
Urban Forestry Educational Center
391 Chynoweth Ave, San José, CA 95136
Bridges Academy Community Planting
Saturday, December 13th from 9am – 12pm
1702 McLaughlin Avenue, San José, CA
No experience needed! We’ll provide tools, gloves, and guidance!
Sign up on our Eventbrite, or reach out to volunteer@ourcityforest.org if you have any questions!
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| | | | | | | Ways You Can Support Our Work: |
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