Looking Ahead
We’re excited to dig in together in 2023 and beyond! Stay tuned for updates on these upcoming projects and more:
A second cohort of Teen Urban Foresters
The Teen Urban Forester program represents the best of Canopy and our community—youth growing the urban forest in their own neighborhoods while also growing as leaders.
We consistently have more youth applicants than positions, so we’re preparing to expand the program further to from 16 to 24 students each session. We’ll focus on hiring more students through existing school partners in East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks, and Belle Haven.
Hiring 24 youth every trimester impacts logistics for all Canopy programs, so we’re starting by tackling questions around field work structure and transportation logistics. We’ll also hire a part-time Youth Crew Leader to work alongside Youth Program Coordinator Juanita Ibarra to help lead the expanded program.
Stay tuned as we roll out this exciting update, and keep an eye out for more young leaders at Canopy tree plantings and events!
Relaunching Junior Foresters & Junior Forester Leaders
First launched in 2016, Canopy’s Junior Forester program provides outdoor education for 3-5th graders in after school programs at two Ravenswood CSD elementary schools. In 2018, Canopy launched a companion program called Junior Forester Leaders, enlisting high school volunteers to help deliver the Junior Forester lessons while gaining leadership and teaching skills.
Both programs have been paused since the pandemic hit in 2020. In 2023, we are thrilled to bring them back! We’ll partner with Belle Haven Elementary and Los Robles Elementary after school programs, and high school leaders will come from Menlo Atherton.
Walks, Workshops, and Webinars
We always love sharing knowledge and sparking conversations about urban forestry hot topics. In 2023, stay tuned for a session about the Palo Alto Tree Ordinance update, a Trees and Drought workshop, California Arbor Week events, a new suite of monthly tree talks, and more.
And of course...more trees!
In January, we’ll hit the ground running with another tree planting at All Five Preschool, planting ceremonial trees for local mayors, and tree care days at local schools. Throughout the spring, we’re excited for neighborhood tree plantings in south Palo Alto, Mountain View, East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, and North Fair Oaks.
Celebrating Catherine Martineau
In Fall 2022, Catherine Martineau announced that she will retire from Canopy in early 2023. Catherine's 18 years at the helm of Canopy have been transformative, and we're eager to give her the Canopy send-off she deserves.
Stay tuned for opportunities to celebrate, honor, and thank Catherine for nearly two decades of nurturing our communities and their trees!
Read Catherine's retirement announcement →
Read a 2019 tribute to Catherine from Canopy staff & board Board →
