Access to Advocacy

Jim Geigeran interview with

Jim Geiger

Life Coach and Owner, Summit Leader Coaching

What is/was your relationship to ReLeaf?
At the time California ReLeaf was formed in 1989, I was the State’s Urban Forester working as Urban Forestry Program Manager for the California Department of Forestry (CAL FIRE). I worked at CAL FIRE until 2000. Then, I became the Director of Communication for the Center of Urban Forest Research until 2008.

What did/does California ReLeaf mean to you?
To me California ReLeaf means that communities have a much better chance of getting the type of service or dollars they need in their city to improve the planting and care of trees.

Best memory or event of California ReLeaf?
My best memory of California ReLeaf is of the joy I felt after the formation of the organization, because it meant that ALL of the communities would now have access to advocacy for their trees. The state could not do it alone. There was now a partnership.

Why is it important that California ReLeaf continue its Mission?
I believe it is critical that California ReLeaf continues to thrive and grow because it takes about a generation for concepts to become fully integrated into society and there is none more important than for people to understand and support the benefits that trees provide to our communities. This is a long term process of education that we began about a decade ago. We have a long way to go and California ReLeaf can be at the forefront of that educational/integration process here in California.