March / April 2024 Insights

Meet Our Team MARCH/APRIL 2024

Register Now

Lauren Weyers,

Program Operations Manager What do you love about your work at the Arbor Day Foundation?

How did you develop a connection with trees?

My childhood on a small California horse ranch was intimately intertwined with an oak tree that provided shelter and became my go-to for play and exploration. Those countless hours spent climbing its branches nurtured a deep bond with trees. When my husband and I settled in Nebraska, choosing our home’s location was simple — the presence of a towering oak dictated our decision, ensuring that my children would also grow up with an oak tree to climb and cherish.

J

oin fellow Oak Society members at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City for this exclusive event. If you’re fascinated by trees and how they can help solve our world’s issues, you won’t want to miss out.

Speaker Sneak Peek!

We are excited to welcome Lizzie Johnson to this year’s Member Summit. This Washington Post staff writer and author wrote Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire. The award-winning book chronicles the Camp Fire’s deadly path through the community of Paradise, California — as Lizzie experienced it.

Registration is open through April 15, but spots are limited. Check out the full schedule and sign up today at arborday.org/summit 2024.

What is your favorite tree?

The valley oak holds a special place in my heart, for not only the nostalgic memories but also its awe-inspiring, majestic stature.

The endangered Puerto Rican parrot

Tree Planting is For the Birds

One Oak Society member is committed to helping the Puerto Rican parrot thrive An Arbor Day Foundation member since the 1980s and a former USDA Forest Service and U.S. Navy employee, Glenna Wood has had a lifelong passion for trees. After adopting a lost parakeet during the pandemic lockdown, learning about parrots became a new passion.

When an Insights issue featured the Arbor Day Foundation’s work to save the Puerto Rican parrot, she knew she had found the perfect project to support.

In 2017, Hurricane Maria had devastated the El Yunque National Forest and publicly owned forests across the island. Reforestation efforts in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and the Arbor Day Foundation are rebuilding habitat for this critically endangered bird.

“As the only native North American parrot not yet extinct, these birds deserve a chance to survive,” said Glenna.

50138301

Arbor Day Foundation • 211 N. 12th St. • Lincoln, NE 68508

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife aviary has had great success in rearing birds to increase the population. Reforestation is crucial to provide a place for the released birds to live and thrive.

“What was exciting about this giving opportunity is that another Oak Society member provided matching funds,” said Glenna. Her gift and the matching funds were able to complete the remainder of the project and allowed the work on the ground in Puerto Rico to move forward.

This is the power of our Oak Society. Just like Glenna, each of you has a dedication and a drive that ensures the future of our Glenna’s parakeet, Tino forests for generations to come. Reach out to development@arborday.org to see how you can help fund your own passion project.

Tom MacKenzie

I am inspired by the Abor Day Foundation’s commitment to making a tangible impact on the world we live in through tree planting. Being involved in organizing and participating in the Foundation’s conferences, such as the World Forum on Urban Forests, has been an annual highlight.

I find constant inspiration being surrounded by individuals united by the shared vision of enhancing our world through trees.

Member Summit 2024 June 10-12 | Nebraska City, NE

“The same communities that are lacking trees and green infrastructure, oftentimes because of historical redlining, are also missing park space or the opportunity to connect with green space,” Lauren added. These continue to be the spaces in Grand Rapids that need trees most.

Connecting With the Community, Inspiring the Next Generation The neighborhoods identified as priority areas for tree planting are also parts of the city where residents have often been more hesitant of municipality work and tree planting. “There is a decades-long history of a lack of trust,” Lauren said. To help build that trust, he and his team focus on connections.

A Michigan Community on a Mission

Often, this means showing up again and again — being a recognized face among neighbors. (Lauren has been identified most often as “that tree guy.”) It also means listening, even if what residents are sharing is that they don’t want a street tree in front of their house.

In Grand Rapids, the focus is on engaging neighborhoods and planting trees where they are needed most.

Involving residents in work happening in their own neighborhoods is also important. One way Friends of Grand Rapids Parks does this is through the Youth Green Team. All the trees being planted need to be watered, so high school students are hired each summer to do the watering. “We do our best to hire folks from the neighborhood where we’re doing the work,” Lauren said.

L

ess than an hour from the shores of Lake Michigan sits Grand Rapids, a city with a population of nearly 200,000 people and a unique combination of urban amenities and small-town charm. It also has plenty of outdoor opportunities. A total of 76 public park spaces stretch across approximately 600 acres and offer a wide range of ways to engage with nature.

Despite the expansive parkland, however, Grand Rapids needs more trees.

The citywide tree canopy cover goal here is 40%, and local nonprofit planting partner Friends of Grand Rapids is dedicated to helping the community reach

this goal. Some neighborhoods are more than halfway there; others are very far from this target. The reality is that, as with so many other cities, Grand Rapids is facing the consequences of historical redlining.

Lack of investment in green infrastructure for the disenfranchised portions of the city can be seen in several ways. One is the lower number of large, well-established, well-cared-for trees. Another is fewer public green spaces. Remember those 76 parks?

According to Lauren Davis, director of programs for Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, they aren’t necessarily equally distributed. Nor are the amenities they offer.

What is Redlining?

According to the Legal Information Institute at Cornell University, redlining can be defined as “a discriminatory practice that consists of the systematic denial of services such as mortgages, insurance loans, and other financial services to residents of certain areas, based on their race or ethnicity.” This idea also applies to green infrastructure as, historically, funding for trees and green spaces was often not provided to low-income and minority neighborhoods.

2

A r b o r D ay F o u n d at i o n O a k S o c i e t y I n s i g h t s • M a r c h / A p r i l 2 0 2 4

met us, they had never had these conversations before,” Lauren said.

One of last summer’s team members invited staff to attend her quinceañera. For the team, this is a favorite memory. “During the ceremony, the priest mentioned how the team’s guidance and mentoring shaped her passion for a future in forestry. Her dress was green and there were leaves decorating the room. And it was just like, man, I got all the feels.”

The Power to Create Change These are moments that matter. Connections that will last a lifetime. Bridges being built within the community so all residents can enjoy the benefits of a greener future.

Support from members and donors like you are making this possible … in Grand Rapids and around the world.

Last summer alone, the Youth Green Team cared for 1,000 newly planted trees. That’s a lot of 5-gallon buckets of water. It’s also a lot of trees set up to survive their first year in the ground.

And as the Youth Green Team waters the trees to improve their neighborhoods, the neighbors come out to appreciate their hard work. One homeowner — adamant that he didn’t want a tree added to his yard — brought out sports drinks on a hot day. Another insisted they take a break to enjoy breakfast in her backyard.

The work is hard for a teenager, but the pay is good and the experiences can be life-changing. In addition to watering, the team gets the chance to learn more about nature, forests, conservation, and even potential career opportunities. For some, this has been truly inspirational. “We’ve had multiple members of the Green Team who decide, ‘Hey, I’m doing this tree stuff now. This is what I’m going to college for.’ When they

A r b o r D ay F o u n d at i o n O a k S o c i e t y I n s i g h t s • M a r c h / A p r i l 2 0 2 4

3

“The same communities that are lacking trees and green infrastructure, oftentimes because of historical redlining, are also missing park space or the opportunity to connect with green space,” Lauren added. These continue to be the spaces in Grand Rapids that need trees most.

Connecting With the Community, Inspiring the Next Generation The neighborhoods identified as priority areas for tree planting are also parts of the city where residents have often been more hesitant of municipality work and tree planting. “There is a decades-long history of a lack of trust,” Lauren said. To help build that trust, he and his team focus on connections.

A Michigan Community on a Mission

Often, this means showing up again and again — being a recognized face among neighbors. (Lauren has been identified most often as “that tree guy.”) It also means listening, even if what residents are sharing is that they don’t want a street tree in front of their house.

In Grand Rapids, the focus is on engaging neighborhoods and planting trees where they are needed most.

Involving residents in work happening in their own neighborhoods is also important. One way Friends of Grand Rapids Parks does this is through the Youth Green Team. All the trees being planted need to be watered, so high school students are hired each summer to do the watering. “We do our best to hire folks from the neighborhood where we’re doing the work,” Lauren said.

L

ess than an hour from the shores of Lake Michigan sits Grand Rapids, a city with a population of nearly 200,000 people and a unique combination of urban amenities and small-town charm. It also has plenty of outdoor opportunities. A total of 76 public park spaces stretch across approximately 600 acres and offer a wide range of ways to engage with nature.

Despite the expansive parkland, however, Grand Rapids needs more trees.

The citywide tree canopy cover goal here is 40%, and local nonprofit planting partner Friends of Grand Rapids is dedicated to helping the community reach

this goal. Some neighborhoods are more than halfway there; others are very far from this target. The reality is that, as with so many other cities, Grand Rapids is facing the consequences of historical redlining.

Lack of investment in green infrastructure for the disenfranchised portions of the city can be seen in several ways. One is the lower number of large, well-established, well-cared-for trees. Another is fewer public green spaces. Remember those 76 parks?

According to Lauren Davis, director of programs for Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, they aren’t necessarily equally distributed. Nor are the amenities they offer.

What is Redlining?

According to the Legal Information Institute at Cornell University, redlining can be defined as “a discriminatory practice that consists of the systematic denial of services such as mortgages, insurance loans, and other financial services to residents of certain areas, based on their race or ethnicity.” This idea also applies to green infrastructure as, historically, funding for trees and green spaces was often not provided to low-income and minority neighborhoods.

2

A r b o r D ay F o u n d at i o n O a k S o c i e t y I n s i g h t s • M a r c h / A p r i l 2 0 2 4

met us, they had never had these conversations before,” Lauren said.

One of last summer’s team members invited staff to attend her quinceañera. For the team, this is a favorite memory. “During the ceremony, the priest mentioned how the team’s guidance and mentoring shaped her passion for a future in forestry. Her dress was green and there were leaves decorating the room. And it was just like, man, I got all the feels.”

The Power to Create Change These are moments that matter. Connections that will last a lifetime. Bridges being built within the community so all residents can enjoy the benefits of a greener future.

Support from members and donors like you are making this possible … in Grand Rapids and around the world.

Last summer alone, the Youth Green Team cared for 1,000 newly planted trees. That’s a lot of 5-gallon buckets of water. It’s also a lot of trees set up to survive their first year in the ground.

And as the Youth Green Team waters the trees to improve their neighborhoods, the neighbors come out to appreciate their hard work. One homeowner — adamant that he didn’t want a tree added to his yard — brought out sports drinks on a hot day. Another insisted they take a break to enjoy breakfast in her backyard.

The work is hard for a teenager, but the pay is good and the experiences can be life-changing. In addition to watering, the team gets the chance to learn more about nature, forests, conservation, and even potential career opportunities. For some, this has been truly inspirational. “We’ve had multiple members of the Green Team who decide, ‘Hey, I’m doing this tree stuff now. This is what I’m going to college for.’ When they

A r b o r D ay F o u n d at i o n O a k S o c i e t y I n s i g h t s • M a r c h / A p r i l 2 0 2 4

3

Meet Our Team MARCH/APRIL 2024

Register Now

Lauren Weyers,

Program Operations Manager What do you love about your work at the Arbor Day Foundation?

How did you develop a connection with trees?

My childhood on a small California horse ranch was intimately intertwined with an oak tree that provided shelter and became my go-to for play and exploration. Those countless hours spent climbing its branches nurtured a deep bond with trees. When my husband and I settled in Nebraska, choosing our home’s location was simple — the presence of a towering oak dictated our decision, ensuring that my children would also grow up with an oak tree to climb and cherish.

J

oin fellow Oak Society members at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City for this exclusive event. If you’re fascinated by trees and how they can help solve our world’s issues, you won’t want to miss out.

Speaker Sneak Peek!

We are excited to welcome Lizzie Johnson to this year’s Member Summit. This Washington Post staff writer and author wrote Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire. The award-winning book chronicles the Camp Fire’s deadly path through the community of Paradise, California — as Lizzie experienced it.

Registration is open through April 15, but spots are limited. Check out the full schedule and sign up today at arborday.org/summit 2024.

What is your favorite tree?

The valley oak holds a special place in my heart, for not only the nostalgic memories but also its awe-inspiring, majestic stature.

The endangered Puerto Rican parrot

Tree Planting is For the Birds

One Oak Society member is committed to helping the Puerto Rican parrot thrive An Arbor Day Foundation member since the 1980s and a former USDA Forest Service and U.S. Navy employee, Glenna Wood has had a lifelong passion for trees. After adopting a lost parakeet during the pandemic lockdown, learning about parrots became a new passion.

When an Insights issue featured the Arbor Day Foundation’s work to save the Puerto Rican parrot, she knew she had found the perfect project to support.

In 2017, Hurricane Maria had devastated the El Yunque National Forest and publicly owned forests across the island. Reforestation efforts in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and the Arbor Day Foundation are rebuilding habitat for this critically endangered bird.

“As the only native North American parrot not yet extinct, these birds deserve a chance to survive,” said Glenna.

50138301

Arbor Day Foundation • 211 N. 12th St. • Lincoln, NE 68508

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife aviary has had great success in rearing birds to increase the population. Reforestation is crucial to provide a place for the released birds to live and thrive.

“What was exciting about this giving opportunity is that another Oak Society member provided matching funds,” said Glenna. Her gift and the matching funds were able to complete the remainder of the project and allowed the work on the ground in Puerto Rico to move forward.

This is the power of our Oak Society. Just like Glenna, each of you has a dedication and a drive that ensures the future of our Glenna’s parakeet, Tino forests for generations to come. Reach out to development@arborday.org to see how you can help fund your own passion project.

Tom MacKenzie

I am inspired by the Abor Day Foundation’s commitment to making a tangible impact on the world we live in through tree planting. Being involved in organizing and participating in the Foundation’s conferences, such as the World Forum on Urban Forests, has been an annual highlight.

I find constant inspiration being surrounded by individuals united by the shared vision of enhancing our world through trees.

Member Summit 2024 June 10-12 | Nebraska City, NE