Corpsmembers relax after a bountiful day cleaning up the Tule River corridor.

The SCC is composed of disadvantaged youth, ages 18-24. Most of these young people cannot compete in the job market. Some have not finished high school. Others have criminal records. CSET and the SCC provide these young adults with job training and placement, as well as assistance to corps members for earning their high school diplomas. They have provided over 4,000 young adults with job training and educational opportunities over the past 20 years.

Some of the SCC’s original projects included trail maintenance and development in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Their work in some of the nation’s most impressive forests naturally progressed into opportunities to bring the forest to the urban areas CSET served. SCC’s first urban forestry projects were in partnership with the Urban Tree Foundation.

The two organizations still work hand-inhand to plant trees today. The majority of these projects focus on unused riparian strips where native oaks and understory plants are placed along new hiking trails cut by SCC members. These trails provide a green escape in an area that would otherwise remain unused, and offer residents and visitors alike a glimpse into what the benefits of a strong environmental education program can mean for the region’s and its at-risk youth.

While many community members enjoy the beauty of these areas, many don’t realize the additional benefits CSET provides the community through its urban forestry program. The green trails capture storm water, increase wildlife habitat, and improve air quality in a region consistently ranked as one of the worst in the nation for smog and ozone pollution.

CSET continues its efforts to increase visibility on the tangible benefits of its project through a variety of tools and resources. One such resource is the federal grant secured by CEST in 2010 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These funds which are administered by California ReLeaf are supporting a multi-faceted project in which members of the SCC will be working to restore a native Valley Oak riparian forest along a creek that is currently devoid of vegetation while also improving Visalia’s urban forestry streetscape. The project brings the added benefit of significant job creation to a county with a 12% unemployment rate as of October, 2011.

“I had a revelation that, even though the people in these communities only live 45 minutes from some of the best national parks in the country, many of them can’t afford to make the short trip to see the parks. The urban forest brings nature to people where they are,” says Higgins.

He hasn’t only witnessed how urban forestry can change communities, but also how it can change individuals. When asked for examples of what SCC does for Corps members, Nathan is quick to respond with stories of three young men whose lives he’s seen transformed.

The three stories all start the same way – a young man who joined the SCC with little opportunity to better his life. One started as a crew member and has been promoted to crew supervisor, leading other young men and women to better their lives just as he has. Another is now working with the City of Visalia Park and Recreation Department as an intern doing park maintenance. His internship will hopefully turn into a paid position as funding becomes available.

Urban Forestry corpsmembers ‘greening’ our urban spaces.These young Valley Oaks will live for hundreds of years and provide shade and beauty for generations.

The most compelling of the three stories though is that of Jacob Ramos. At 16-years old, he was found guilty of a felony charge. Afterhis conviction and time served, he found it nearly impossible to find a job. At CSET, he earned his high school diploma and proved himself as one of the most dedicated workers in the SCC. This year, CSET opened a for-profit subsidiary that does weatherization work. Because of his extensive training completed with the Corps, Jacob now has a job there.

Each year, CSET plants over 1,000 trees, creates accessible hiking trails, and employs 100-150

young people. More than that, it has gone above and beyond its mission to strengthen youth, families, and communities in Tulare County. CSET and the SCC are a reminder of what can be accomplished for our environment and future generations through partnership and perseverance.

Watch Cover Your Asphalt Campaign on PBS. See more from Rob on the Road.

Starting last week, homeowners across the city found notices taped to the trees outside their front doors announcing that the city’s Department of Public Works won’t be caring for the urban greenery anymore.

Read more at the SF Gate website.

The workshop is open to anyone who is interested in the planting and maintenance of trees in urban landscapes.  The workshop will be taught in an easy to follow format by local and state experts in tree care.   Members of the public, whether novices or those who have some experience at tree care will benefit, as well as more experienced tree care professionals looking for a refresher.  Six community service credits are available for participating students and five continuing education units are available for professionals.  Pruning public shade trees will be emphasized, with additional fruit tree pruning discussion.

Workshop leaders Dan Condon, Bill Spiewak, Norm Beard, George Jimenez and Ken Knight will demonstrate techniques that professionals use to care for young public trees.  Participants will get actual experience in pruning young trees on the San Marcos High School campus, with all work being done from the ground and no tree climbing involved.  A short open book exam and field practice at the end will demonstrate proficiency and ability to assist in future public young tree pruning projects in your area. There will be ample opportunities to discuss your specific questions with the speakers.

For more information and to download the registration form, please visit Goleta Valley Beautiful at www.goletavalleybeautiful.org

Taylor Students Plant Fruit Trees

Common Vision Plants Fruit Trees

Students Get Tree-Planting Lesson

We Love Our Trees

Common Vision Comes to Chico

During the first week of December, windstorms devastated communities in the Los Angeles area. Several of our ReLeaf Network members work in these areas, so we were able to get first hand accounts of the wreckage. In total, the windstorms caused more than $40 million in damage. For more information on the cost of the storm, see this article from the L.A. Times.

Emina Darakjy from Pasadena Beautiful said, “I have lived in Pasadena for 35 years and have never seen such devastation. It is so sad to see so many trees down.” More than 1,200 trees were downed in Pasadena alone. Winds were over 100 miles per hour in some parts of the town.

“People are so upset and sad to see what has happened. It is like losing so many close friends or family members,” said Darakjy who took the pictures in this article in the days after the storm.

California ReLeaf

Contact: Ashley Mastin, Program Manager

916-497-0037

December 12, 2011

Ready your Crayons! Pick up your Cameras! Plant a Tree!

California Arbor Week Contests Highlight the Importance of Trees

Sacramento, Calif. – Two statewide contests are being held to celebrate California Arbor Week, March 7-14, a statewide celebration of trees. These contests are designed to increase awareness of and appreciation for the trees and forests in the communities where Californians live, work and play. Winners will be featured at the State Fair and awarded cash prizes.

Third, fourth, and fifth grade students throughout California are invited to participate in the California Arbor Week Poster Contest. The contest, titled “Growing Happy Communities” is designed to increase the student’s knowledge of the important roles of trees and the many benefits they provide to our communities. In addition to contest rules and entry forms, the contest information packet includes curriculum for three lessons. Entries are due by February 1, 2012. Sponsors include: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, California Community Forests Foundation, and California ReLeaf.

All Californians are invited to participate in the inaugural year of the California Arbor Week Photography Contest. The contest is designed to highlight the broad diversity of tree species, settings, and landscapes throughout our state, in locations urban and rural, large and small. Photographs may be entered in two categories: My Favorite California Tree or Trees Where I Live. Entries are due by March 31, 2012.

Contest information packets can be downloaded at www.arborweek.org.

California Arbor Week runs March 7-14 every year to mark famed horticulturist Luther Burbank’s birthday. Last year, legislation was passed to define California Arbor Week in statute. California ReLeaf is raising money to fund tree-planting initiatives and support local organizations for 2012’s celebration. Visit www.arborweek.org for more info.

About California ReLeaf

California ReLeaf works statewide to promote alliances among community-based groups, individuals, industry, and government agencies, encouraging each to contribute to the livability of our cities and the protection of our environment by planting and caring for trees. The California ReLeaf Network is a state-wide forum for exchange, education, and mutual support for community-based organizations that share the common goals of planting and protecting trees, fostering an ethic of environmental stewardship, and promoting volunteer involvement.

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The Hollywood/LA Beautification Team (HBT), Koreatown Youth & Community Center (KYCC), Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC), Northeast Trees (NET) are co-hosting a local tree planting event to celebrate the multiple job creation and community health benefits that have been realized through projects completed by the four non-profit groups.  The projects  are funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  The tree plantings will be conducted by students, volunteers and organizational staff.  Numerous elected officials have been invited to attend and participate.   The event will take place at the Foshay Learning Center, located at Western Ave and Exposition Blvd. on Monday December 5th at 9am.

The goals of the American Recovery and Reinvest Act were to create new jobs, save existing ones, spur economic activity, and invest in long-term growth.  Combined, these four groups received over $1.6 million in ARRA grants administered by California ReLeaf in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service.  These grants have supported more than 34,000 employment hours contributed to the LA work force by teaching green job skills to at-risk youth and cleaning the county’s air and water through the planting, care and maintenance of over 21,000 trees since April, 2010.  The Foshay Learning Center tree-planting embodies all of the goals of the ARRA and further demonstrates the need to sustain these efforts after the ARRA projects have been completed.