Dear Friends,

We’re thinking of you! We miss being with you at tree plantings and events, but we hope you and your family are safe and healthy.

Canopy’s work looks different these days, but we continue connecting residents with neighborhood nature, advocating for trees, and working together towards our vision: a day when every resident of the Midpeninsula can step outside to move, play, and thrive under the shade of healthy trees.

Thank you for being with us, even as we’re apart. We’re so grateful for you!

Bell well,
Catherine
Take a Virtual Tree Walk
Greenmeadow Tree Walk on Facebook Live

If you've been missing Canopy’s Tree Walks , you're in luck! We may not be able to come together in person, but join us for a Virtual Tree Walk of the Greenmeadow neighborhood this Saturday, April 11, from 10-11am.  
The walk will be led by arborist Peter Jensen, Landscape Architect for the City of Palo Alto.
 
 Head over to Canopy's Facebook page at 10am on Saturday to watch the Tree Walk! The live video will pop up at the top of Canopy's feed and look something like this:
Greenmeadow Tree Walk Videos

Not able to join us live on Saturday? Check out our Greenmeadow Tree Walk webpage for a self-guided tour of th e tree walk with videos of Peter Jensen sharing about a selection of trees on the route.
In the Field with Canopy
As schools remain closed and community gatherings restricted, how have Canopy staff shifted their work to support shelter in place safety measures? Here are some highlights from the Canopy staff.

Tree Programs
Elise Willis
Tree Programs Director

Elise is developing a "Preferred and Restricted Tree Species List" and tree selection tool with input from local partners and experts. These resources will equip community members to plant the right trees in the right places.
Maya Briones
Community Forestry Coordinator

Maya has shifted her focus to advocacy work as she analyzes data and tree policies from local municipalities. The data will help staff assess the needs of each community and how Canopy's programs can be delivered in a meaningful way to residents.
Jack Dorsey
Tree Care & Youth Programs Coordinator

Tree care is considered an essential service, so Jack has continued caring for Canopy trees on his own. He is leading Canopy's Teen Urban Foresters remotely via video conferencing. They are planning a new project to create a nature play space with All Five preschool in eastern Menlo Park.
Education Programs
Vanessa Wyns
Environmental Educator

Vanessa is transforming Canopy’s environmental education lessons for distance learning. Her lessons are available on the Canopy website for anyone to download. She’s shared them with educators and families in local school districts, regionally throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, and also nation-wide through the North American Association of Environmental Education .
Natalie Brubaker
Education Director

Just like youth education, Canopy's adult education programs are going virtual! Natalie has been busy filming and editing videos of the Greenmeadow Tree Walk . Don't forget to join the Virtual Tree Walk on Saturday at 10am on Facebook Live! Stay tuned for a webinar series about resilient trees for a new climate.
Operations
Our operations team has adapted well too. All our business functions are now on the cloud. We’re revising our budgets, checking-in with funders, and updating fundraising plans. We look forward to sharing our goals in the weeks ahead.
Meet Edgar Echevarria!
We are excited to welcome Edgar Echevarria to the Canopy team! Edgar will be leading Canopy's Palo Alto and Mountain View tree programs. His role as Community Forestry Manager was previously held by Elise Willis. As Elise steps into her new position as Tree Programs Director, we are happy to have Edgar join our team. Learn more about Edgar on the Canopy blog...
Celebrate Earth Day, April 22
Earth Day is coming up on Wednesday, April 22, and this year's theme is climate action. Taking action may look a little different this month, but there are still many ways you can celebrate Earth Day! Here are some ideas:


  • Take a walk through your neighborhood and enjoy the trees! Share a tree photo with Canopy on Instagram or Facebook.


  • Check out the Earth Day website for a list of local and international digital events.

  • Consider making a donation to Canopy! By supporting Canopy you are encouraging the growth of a healthy urban environment where people and nature thrive.
From the Blog
Tree Spotlight:
European Hackberry

The European hackberry tree may be best known for the sweet berries that grow from its branches, but did you know that it is also one of the more resilient city trees? Learn why on the Canopy blog...
P.S. You can find the  Celtis australis   on  Canopy’s Downtown North neighborhood tree walk in Palo Alto!
What's new in the Urban Forest?
Effects of Shelter in Place on Air Quality

"Whether we see lasting environmental benefits following coronavirus quarantine measures will depend on reinvestment in the right technologies...The real opportunity will come as we choose whether to invest in clean energy and green projects, or fossil fuels as we rebuild." Erica Evans, Deseret News | Learn more.

A Pragmatic Approach to A Trillion Trees

"Leaders from across industry and government were enthusiastic about the opportunity to offset emissions and finance the expansion of our much-loved forests...On the other hand, climate scientists and others cautioned against putting too much emphasis on trees." Sherry Listgarten, Palo Alto Online Blog | Learn more.
March Tree Gifts & Grantors
Maika Horjus & Jim Puls
in memory of Francoise Lasne,
with love to her special family



Many Thanks to Grassroots Ecology and the Los Altos Community Foundation for their generous support of Canopy's programs!
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.