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Dear Friends,
As we embrace this season of giving and reflection, we are reminded of the vibrant City Plants community we’ve cultivated together. This holiday season, let’s celebrate the deep roots of connection and commitment that we have planted — with your support. Thanks to you, our city’s urban canopy is expanding and thriving, and we are profoundly grateful for your partnership.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with warmth, laughter, and access to the green spaces that enrich our lives.
Let’s continue to grow greener, healthier neighborhoods for all people in Los Angeles for generations to come.
Warm regards,
Carlos O. Campero
Executive Director, City Plants
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City Plants New Advisory Board | |
We are thrilled to welcome our new advisory board members, a diverse group of experts committed to advancing City Plant’s vision for a greener Los Angeles. With their vast expertise in urban ecology, environmental policy, project management, architecture and more, we are confident they will play a crucial role in ensuring that every neighborhood has equal access to the benefits of trees. | |
Meet Our California Climate Action Corps Fellows | |
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We are thrilled to introduce our newest team members: Karissa and Izzy! These remarkable young women have joined City Plants as part of the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship program.
We are happy to announce Ana and Monica are returning for a second term with the fellowship, bringing renewed energy and expertise to our planting events. They are both alumni of our 2023 Tree Ambassador program, where they impressed us with their passion, energy, and dedication to urban greening.
Since joining the City Plants team in October, Karissa and Izzy have already made significant contributions, injecting creativity, dedication, and knowledge into our programs. Their impact is being felt across the organization as we work to enhance and expand our efforts in creating an equitable urban forest.
We want to extend our immense gratitude to California Volunteers and the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship program for this incredible opportunity. Your partnership is invaluable, and we are grateful for your commitment to nurturing young environmental leaders and scaling regional climate resilience.
With Karissa, Izzy, Ana and Monica aboard, we are excited to continue our mission of planting a greener, healthier future for Los Angeles!
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Latino Heritage Month Tree Planting Event | |
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This past October, the City of Los Angeles, the Board of Public Works, and the Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment came together with the community to celebrate Latino Heritage Month with a special tree-planting event. This event was a celebration of our shared cultures and a commitment to creating a greener, healthier Los Angeles.
As part of LASAN's "BeLeaf in Equity" urban forestry grant, we planted 27 drought-tolerant street trees around Valley Oaks Center for Enriched Studies. Funding for this project is provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program.
Additionally, thanks to funding from LADWP, we offered yard trees to residents to plant in their homes.
We're working towards a more equitable and sustainable future for all by planting trees and fostering green spaces.
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Introducing Our New Partners | |
SLA Inc. is a dedicated non-profit organization focused on empowering youth and community. For over a decade, they have aimed to transform urban spaces and promote holistic well-being, with a particular emphasis on individuals facing barriers to employment. Their flagship Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program equips participants with valuable skills for meaningful careers, while their environmental stewardship efforts, including tree planting and our Green Schoolyards Initiative, create vibrant, safe environments for children to learn and grow. They also prioritize youth education and mental and physical health programs to support community engagement and enhance well-being for all. | |
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The Tiüvac’a’ai (pronounced tier-wuc uh-eye) Tribal Conservation Corps’ mission is promoting and restoring the cultural values of the Indigenous People. Their hands-on training program works with Native youth and young adults towards the goals of “regaining ecological functionality, enhancing climate resilience, and human well-being”.
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Urban Forestry Equity Collective Phase II Update | |
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Exciting News!
The Urban Forest Equity Coalition (UFEC) has just released its final outputs, featuring strategies, guidebooks, toolkits, and two community-informed studies aimed at promoting urban forest equity in Los Angeles.
What’s the Background?
In UFEC’s Phase I, we explored the historical and current physical and socio-political factors shaping LA’s urban forest. Now, in Phase II, we focused on actionable strategies to drive change.
Why Should You Care?
To achieve LA City’s urban forest goals, we all play a part. City Plants hopes these findings inspire others working in the forest equity space to adopt and adapt these strategies.
Who Can Access This Information?
Anyone interested in closing the urban forest equity gap in Los Angeles! We invite stakeholders from all sectors and curious minds alike to explore this material. We hope it sparks discussion, inspiration, and collaboration to enhance this important work.
What’s Included?
- LA Urban Forest Equity Neighborhood Strategies for our two pilot neighborhoods: Central Alameda and Sylmar.
- LA Urban Forest Equity Design Guidebook, providing intervention strategies tailored to various urban contexts.
- LA Urban Forest Equity Community Action Toolkit, featuring resources for community groups to replicate our engagement processes in their neighborhoods.
Explore the full resources and join us in making a difference!
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Tree Ambassador Program Update | |
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Plant the Seeds of Change:
Join the Tree Ambassador Program!
Calling all passionate South LA residents!
North East Trees and City Plants are excited to launch the Tree Ambassador Program, a unique opportunity to kickstart your career in urban forestry while making a positive impact on your community.
Become a Tree Ambassador and:
- Gain valuable hands-on experience in urban forestry
- Learn essential tree care industry skills
- Build a strong network of professionals
- Develop leadership and teamwork skills
- Engage with your community and make a real difference
- Participate in a 12-week paid internship
- Earn $20 per hour
This program is perfect for you if:
- You live in South LA or a neighboring community
- You are 18 years or older
- You are legally authorized to work in the US
- You have a passion for trees and the environment
Kickstart your career in urban forestry and help us build a healthier, more sustainable future for our city! Ready to join the movement?
Applications are now open for the second cohort starting in April 2025! The 12-week program of 5 cohorts runs from January 2025 to March 2026.
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