Photo by Patricia Larenas, @plarenas_onpaper |
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Wishing you light, hope, and peace |
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You may be lighting candles for Hanukkah, preparing for the winter solstice and its promise of longer days, decorating trees of all kinds for Christmas, or celebrating the seven Nguzo Saba principles of Kwanzaa. However you choose to celebrate this month, we wish you time for reflection and much hope, joy, and peace for the new year. Thank you for joining Canopy as you were able this past year for education programs, volunteer projects, tree planting, and more.
We look forward to seeing you in 2022 as we continue Canopy's stewardship, education, and advocacy for trees in the Midpeninsula.
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Thrift-store ornaments, handmade wrapping paper, and other tips for sustainable holiday celebrations |
Last December, Canopy staff members shared a few of their favorite ways to embrace the holiday season sustainably, creatively, and inexpensively. In the spirit of recycling, we share this crowd-favorite and, excuse the pun, evergreen post. |
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Highlights from the Field |
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Thanks to all the volunteers who joined us in November, giving up part of their weekends to plant close to 40 trees this month. In Mountain View’s Sylvan Park, Canopy planting leaders worked with Teen Urban Foresters, Community Forestry School students, staff members, and volunteers from Shin Shin Education Foundation. In the Midtown/Greer Park neighborhood in South Palo Alto, volunteers from Carbon 3D and Outdoor Environmental Institute joined staff and Teen Urban Foresters to plant 11 trees. And at All Five preschool in Belle Haven, Menlo Park, school families, neighbors, high school students, members of the Woodside-Atherton Garden Club, and Eastside College Preparatory students pitched in to plant 17 trees. |
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Clockwise from top: Young volunteers at All Five preschool, successful planting in Greer Park, and volunteers with a newly planted tree in Sylvan Park. |
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Volunteers wanted: Dec. 18 tree planting, Redwood City |
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Join us Saturday, December 18, from 9 am to 12:30 pm at Hoover Elementary School for our last tree planting of 2021. Please register at the link and follow COVID-19 protocols for everyone’s safety. |
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Teen Urban Foresters prepare to plant during the Field of Hope renovation work in 2019 |
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'Beautiful culmination of vision and action':
Field of Hope opens in East Palo Alto
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In November, the nonprofit Bayshore Christian Ministries (BCM) in East Palo Alto unveiled its “Field of Hope,” a renovated green space beside its headquarters on Beech Street in East Palo Alto. Featuring a soccer field, half-court basketball court, fire pit, picnic area, and garden, the space was planned and designed in collaboration with students at Oxford Day School, which uses space at the headquarters, and Teen Urban Foresters from Canopy (some of whom were also Oxford Day students). In 2018, PlaceWorks, an urban planning firm, trained the teens to lead a design charrette to shape what the green space could offer and how it would look. Supported by a Kaiser Permanente CAMPOS grant, Canopy worked with BCM to enhance the field by planting 32 trees and 125 landscape plants.
Since the TUF-led tree planting in 2019, BCM has worked with other partners to complete the vision, including pro basketball player Jeremy Lin. Through his Jeremy Lin Foundation, he funded most of the cost of installing the basketball court and helped spur a final fundraising campaign to complete the field.
“We are so pleased to know that the Field of Hope is now complete,” Canopy Executive Director Catherine Martineau says. “It was an amazing project for our Teen Urban Foresters, who collected community input through the charrette and worked with PlaceWorks on installing the natural elements. The project’s completion is a testament to the vision and persistence of the folks at BCM and the many hands who supported the project. We’re so excited for the community to enjoy this beautiful space!"
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Give today to plant trees, nurture young stewards, and advocate for green spaces |
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We need nature in our cities more than ever—to sustain our health, to give every child green spaces to play, and to create climate-resilient neighborhoods.
Your gift to our year-end campaign helps Canopy continue to plant trees while building connections and healthy communities.
Please take a moment to help us reach our year-end goal of $175K. Your gift allows our education, advocacy, and stewardship efforts to thrive in 2022.
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Our gratitude to everyone who has already given so generously! |
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Tree Gifts and Dedications |
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Barron Park Neighborhood Association
In support of tree planting in Barron Park
Susan R. Mendelsohn and Robert J. Flanagan
In memory of David Hettig
Jeannie Siegman
In honor of Marj Pitchon
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Thank you to recent foundation funders:
Morgan Family Foundation
For staff development and Teen Urban Foresters
For general operating support
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Do you enjoy hearing the latest news from Canopy? Help us spread the word on the work we’re doing to bring trees and nature to the Midpeninsula. Share this newsletter with a friend and invite them to join Canopy.
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Canopy's mission is to grow the urban forest in Midpeninsula communities for the benefit of all. Our vision is a day when every resident of the Midpeninsula can step outside to walk, play, and thrive under the shade of healthy trees. |
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