Jaala Smith (they/she)
Planting Coordinator, Tacoma Tree Foundation
Role in the Program: Facilitates collaboration between the community, volunteers and the program, co-creates and organizes community events and training, and collects and analyzes program data as well as community feedback.
Bio: Born and raised in Tacoma and an Evergreen State College graduate, Jaala has spent their life serving as an educator and community organizer throughout the Puget sound area. Jaala believes that everyone knows how to best cultivate safe and healthy spaces for their community to grow and play and that listening is the first step to building climate resilience.
Favorite Tree(s): Quercus alba (White oak) for the classic oak leaf shape and acorn hats but also its symbol of endurance and resilience.
Lisa Kenny (she/they)
Community Trees Program Coordinator, City of Tacoma
Role in the Program: Oversees program execution, co-creates community events and trainings, collaborates on outreach strategies, manages budget and resources, and ensures the feedback of underserved neighborhoods are integrated into program planning.
Bio: Proudly born in the Philippines, raised in Chicago, and now living in the Pacific Northwest since 2016. Lisa is a certified ISA Arborist with a background in conservation, habitat restoration, community engagement, and even mushroom cultivation. Lisa is passionate about uplifting the voices of people of color in the larger environmental movement, as we will experience climate impacts first and worst. Lisa believes our communities hold innovative solutions needed to transform this narrative.
Favorite Tree(s): Magnolias and Oaks! Magnolia × soulangeana (saucer magnolia) reminds her of her late grandmother and Quercus frainetto 'Schmidt', a more recent favorite.
Christean Jenkins (she/her)
Urban Forestry Intern, City of Tacoma
Role in the program: Supports community events
Bio: Having lived in the Pacific Northwest for most of her life, Christean has a fondness for being out in nature. She has education and work experience related to science and natural resource communication and education, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and equity, including past urban forestry experience. Christean appreciates the role that trees play in making communities safer and healthier and is eager to help more people experience the benefits of trees.
Favorite tree: Picea sitchensi (Sitka spruce)
Aaron Yang (he/him)
Community Engagement Coordinator, Tacoma Tree Foundation
Role in the Program: leads community engagement and outreach activities, builds relationships with community members and organizations to ensure we reach the program's intended audience.
Bio: Aaron is a global citizen, who was previously a science teacher and researcher. He is passionate about the negotiations between city and nature, committed to the urban forestry by exploring the complex urban landscape in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance).
Favorite Tree(s): All trees are beautiful!
Ryan Hebert (he/him)
Urban Forestry Analyst, City of Tacoma
Role in the Program: Supporting role as a program advisor, offering technical expertise as well as on-the-ground support for community events.
Bio: Originally hailing from northern Wisconsin, Ryan arrived in Tacoma in early 2020 after years of community development and reforestation work in Detroit. Ryan is an ISA certified Arborist and holds an MS in Applied Community & Economic Development. He loves biking around Tacoma in search of its biggest trees.
Favorite Tree(s): Pinus strobus (Eastern white pine)
Lowell Wyse (he/him)
Executive Director, Tacoma Tree Foundation
Role in the Program: High-level support and direction, addresses any major challenges to program timeline and provides expertise on long-term community engagement strategies for the success of the program.
Bio: A former English professor turned urban forest advocate, Lowell loves telling the story of how the people who love Tacoma are coming together to create a greener and more resilient urban area after enduring generations of environmental harm. He is deeply motivated by the values of community, justice, stewardship, resilience, storytelling, and placemaking.
Favorite Tree(s): London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia)
Mike Carey (he/him)
Urban Forestry Program Manager, City of Tacoma
Role in the Program: High-level support and direction, addresses any major challenges to accomplish overall program goals, ensures alignment with city policies, and oversees long-term strategy and success of the program.
Bio: Mike has been the City's Urban Forester since 2015 and is a certified ISA Arborist. He is responsible for directing programs and developing policy that enhances the City’s tree canopy cover, in support of the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan. Mike is grateful to support our connection to our environment, and to have a positive impact on community health outcomes.
Favorite tree(s): Metasequoia glyptostroboides (dawn redwood) because dinosaurs; Quercus garryana (Garry oak) because local ecology; Aesculus hippocastanum (European horse-chestnut) because of smart co-evolution with pollinating insects.