The staff at California ReLeaf helped us develop and implement our tree planting project in the City of Avenal. After years of wanting to beautify and add shade to our public spaces, we were pleased to discover a supportive partner in California ReLeaf. With their advice, we were able to do everything from effectively select the best species for our environment to engage different key community leaders. Their responsiveness helped us adapt the project as new opportunities arose; in fact, most recently, we were able to expand our project and plant even more trees than we originally anticipated within the same time frame. Even as we continue to complete the project, we already see a community that is reinvigorated and encouraged by what their teamwork could accomplish.
“It was a tremendous opportunity and experience to partner with Ca ReLeaf during many months of 2020. Although a small grant it was at times a challenging task, but with the assistance of Chuck Mills and Amelia Oliver, Greening Los Osos was able to complete their project of planting 16 fifteen gallon native trees on two different properties in this coastal
community. All board members shared in this labor of love and were so pleased to see the finished product. We are hoping to have more projects like this in the future with the goal to reduce greenhouse gasses and all the other benefits that trees provide.
Ca ReLeaf is a tremendous benefit and resource to small non-profits like Greening Los Osos.”
I've had the pleasure of working in coalition with California ReLeaf this year. They demonstrate a commitment to centering equity in their work and elevating environmental justice voices in their advocacy. I've appreciated their partnership, candor, and expertise in bringing in more urban forestry and conservation groups to advance a just recovery.
The friendly and helpful staff at Cal Releaf put me at ease during the initial site visit. I was dreading the experience but instead was pleasantly surprised to get concrete and helpful suggestions that helped us get our project done. Cal Releaf listened to our concerns, cut through red tape, and even worked with us to adjust our budget!
I work with a nonprofit that received a grant from California ReLeaf to plant trees, and it was such a great experience. They are professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely care about their grantee's success. They went out of their way to make reporting easy, and everyone at ReLeaf is so approachable that it was easy to pick up the phone and call with questions. Plus, they are always disseminating information about nonprofit resources and advocate for funding from the State.
It is such a great group of people, and our project truly seemed like a partnership. I hope we have the opportunity to work with them again!
California ReLeaf staff are experienced and extremely helpful and supportive to grantees. They do a great job helping grantees from the beginning of the grant proposal process through project closeout.
California ReLeaf truly helps small nonprofits that are formed by citizens who see a need in their community. The guidance and grant opportunities ReLeaf provides allows small organizations to carry out the work they need to do. I'm convinced, many projects throughout the state would remain undone without ReLeaf's advocacy and support. Many towns and cities across the state don't receive the attention and funding they deserve. ReLeaf allows citizens the chance to bring attention to their projects by making grants widely available.
Cal ReLeaf is a great non-profit because of the wonderful people working there!
They always do their best to support their grantees and do an amazing job of connecting like-minded people through webinars and retreats.
A non-profit is only as good and the people working there, and Cal ReLeaf is a marvelous organization!
California ReLeaf is a hard working group of passionate professionals , and for us they provide essential advocacy in the field of Urban Forestry as well as providing critical non profit resources, ensuring that our non-profit can maximize its success. Our typical funding does not allow for us to engage in advocacy around Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, but California ReLeaf fills this essential role. Without them, we would not have as robust public funding options, and we would not have made the progress that we have in terms of making non-profits more competitive for State grants
If you are truly attempting to impact change in the world, you must begin with yourself. Cal Releaf is one of the few organizations that actively and clearly does this, and does it well. You can witness this in every aspect of their work from A to Z. They are a staff of truly dedicated and noble individuals who are helping change the world for the better by connecting small communities like mine to the resources and support we need. With their support, we have been able to plant over 300 trees and educate more than a thousand students on the importance of environmental justice. Chuck, Amelia, Cindy (and team), I am thankful for you, and I am proud to be affiliated with you. Thank you all so much for the good work! May the world be witness to it as much as I am.
Trees, tree-planters, and everyone who breathes oxygen has a good friend in CA ReLeaf. Professional, passionate staff team making an impact from policy and advocacy, to grantmaking and getting trees into the ground. Thanks to California ReLeaf for all of your hard work; you are much-needed and appreciated!
California ReLeaf has been a great partner over the years. At a mission-level, they have partnered with us to learn more about environmental justice and environmental equity, and they have consistently demonstrated their commitment to learning, growing, partnering and centering equity in their work. At an interpersonal level, they are great partners--they show up with care and intention, offer thoughtful contributions, and engage in reciprocal partnership. Then in their own work, California ReLeaf skillfully threads managing a network of urban forestry folks from across the state with Sacramento-facing advocacy.
California ReLeaf builds grassroots coalitions for conservation, livable cities and urban forestry around the state, and helps channel funding to on-the-ground projects. This is critically important work, and they do a fantastic job at it -- definitely worth your support!
California ReLeaf serves in important role in the community managing and their efforts have an impact. The organization is very supportive during the application process and are really there to see you succeed. With a grant from CA ReLeaf we were able to plant over 100 new trees and connect with the community during the tree planting days.
As a fellow nonprofit committed to preserving and enriching the community and culture we serve, we are eternally grateful to California ReLeaf for all their help in beautifying the community of Avenal. Despite our mission not being in the environmental efforts, California ReLeaf was more than happy to assist us in reinvigorating the landscape of our Oasis in the Sun with new trees, after a stressful drought wiped out the foliage in our public spaces.
The staff is very down to earth, always ready to help, and the most caring people you could ever work with. It has been a great pleasure!
ReLeaf is an invaluable and consistent coalition partner and ally. I feel very lucky to work with and know multiple members of their staff. They do fantastic work!
For an organization without a lot of staff members, California ReLeaf has made a big impact on countless communities throughout the state and established themselves as a respected leader in urban forestry and greening. Because their team is so approachable and willing to share their expertise with others, they are a valuable resource to community-based organizations and partner to other non-governmental organizations everywhere!
CA ReLeaf has been a dynamic partner in our coalition. They continue to bring insight to broader environmental conversations and demonstrate a deep passion for their work in CA communities. CA is well served by their staff and mission.
Having California ReLeaf on our Steering Committee has been instrumental in helping our statewide network further expand its focus and direction around California forestry as well as natural and working lands. Their staff continue to be collaborative and provide excellent policy expertise and insight from community based organizations.
I attended California ReLeaf's Retreat a few years back, and was blown away by how well organized and info-packed the convening was. At the retreat, I had the pleasure of meeting the Executive Director, Cindy Blain, and spoke to her about the need to better integrate the various stages/sectors of urban forestry (from growers, to planners/designers, to nonprofit partners, to install and maintenance crews, etc.). I have kept in touch with Cindy and her amazing team since then, working with them on bridging the gap between these disciplines not only as a member organization of California ReLeaf, but also as a Board Member. California ReLeaf is an essential nonprofit that is really taking on timely issues, and addressing them in both innovative yet practical ways, which is something to stand behind and be proud of!
I work for Friends of the Urban Forest, a non-profit urban forestry organization in San Francisco. We have been members of the California ReLeaf network for years. Being part of a statewide network of urban forestry organizations has been useful for us. We appreciate how easy it is for us to share information with our counterparts through the network. We are grateful to have a voice in the state capital thanks to California ReLeaf. We admire how productive and efficient California ReLeaf is with a small staff. It's a great organization!
I'm grateful to California ReLeaf for existing, and for doing all they do so well! I frequently recommend them to folks looking for a local urban forestry group, and I think this serves such an important function in our state.
Also, their job board is a great resource for tree-minded job seekers!
California ReLeaf is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building and sustaining healthy communities through trees. The team, Board of Directors, and community-based nonprofit tree organizations in California, which California ReLeaf supports, are truly dedicated to ensuring our present and future living conditions optimize our collective health, well-being, and environment. Thank you, California ReLeaf, for standing for trees, our planet, and our health!
California ReLeaf is an amazing organization comprised of knowledgeable and passionate people dedicated to improving urban forest canopy in California. They are committed to ensuring non-profits have access to the tools and support needed to improve their communities. Their continued dedication will leave a better, greener, California for future generations.
California ReLeaf provides incredible support for urban forestry nonprofits across the state, and the organization serves as the hub for the most relevant research and advocacy tools needed to spark transformational change on the local level. California ReLeaf plays an integral role in the CA urban forestry and environmental arena - they are the lynchpin holding urban forestry researchers, practitioners, community organizers, and advocates together, fostering cross-pollination, collaboration, and mutual support on a deep level. They not only empower their network members to use tools in their toolboxes, but they actively add tools to those toolboxes on both the state and local levels.
I am a co-director of a community-based organization called Growing Together – we carry out re-greening projects in Oakland’s public lands, in partnership with schools and neighborhood residents. For the past several years, California Releaf has been a cherished partner to our organization, providing invaluable support that has played an essential role in our growth and success. Three years ago, their grants program enabled us to install an orchard and outdoor classroom at middle school; between last year and this year, we have been able to finish or set in motion a total of twelve schoolyard greening projects, involving several thousand Oakland K-12 students in re-foresting their campuses. As a small fiscally-sponsored organization, these opportunities would have been likely impossible for us to take advantage of without their direct assistance. Most importantly, they are a joy to work with – even though I have not been with our organization long, I could not imagine a more welcoming group of people, who are so knowledgeable about their field and deeply dedicated to their mission. They have fully embraced our group’s efforts, sharing their extensive networks with us, connecting us to a wealth of opportunities, and helping us navigate the workings of policy and government funding. California Releaf is a non-profit that deserves to be recognized and thanked for their critical role in supporting the success of community-driven greening efforts in California’s urban communities.
California ReLeaf continues to be a valuable resource for CityTrees. Cindy and her staff have kept us informed about grants, lobbying opportunities, and educational webinars. Beyond all that, when CityTrees has a project that is stalled or not going well, I know I can call Cindy and get great advice about how to move forward. CityTrees is more effective as a result of our relationship with California ReLeaf.
California ReLeaf has been instrumental in building our urban forestry outreach and education program. Without their funding & support, our program would not have grown to this scale in such a short amount of time! Not only do they support programming for individual organizations, they also provide multiple professional development, continuing education, and networking opportunities. Even in two geographic locations! Staff has been so helpful in working with our organization to make sure our reporting is done accurately and in a timely manner. It has been very encouraging to have their help in a process such as grant reporting! They also provide education materials which is very helpful in saving time and communicating with our target audience. Thank you CA ReLeaf!!
I am proud to serve as President of CityTrees - a local non-profit based in Redwood City CA that focuses on planting and caring for our local urban forest. California ReLeaf has been tremendously helpful to us in a variety of different ways: informing us of upcoming grant opportunities that are well aligned with our mission, providing coaching on grant-writing techniques, and training us in various ways to do our job better. The professional staff of California ReLeaf is always very happy to take our calls and help us in any way they can. They are super-well-informed and super-helpful in more ways than I can count. Thanks, California ReLeaf!!
California ReLeaf has been enormously helpful in helping us navigate the process of finding external support for our urban forest in Redwood City. We are a small volunteer run organization, and California ReLeaf provided advice and know-how in looking for funding sources, finding partners, or organizing certain types of events. We were very lucky to find and work with California ReLeaf!
California ReLeaf is an amazing group of people dedicated to improving life for Californians (especially in communities of need) through tree planting and their advocacy work across the state. I was fortunate to partner with them and others in the coordination of the event "Urban Forests for Climate Solutions" at the 2018 Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco. California ReLeaf was an incredibly valuable partner and did so much to ensure that our event was a success. No task was too big or too small for them. I was really impressed with their ability to be such great team players. I would love to work with them again.
We started working with California ReLeaf in 2017 as a Grantee and have been impressed by the staffs' knowledge and expertise. ReLeaf staff are always willing and able to to work with us on any issues with our project. They are equally committed towards the success of our project, which is encouraging for us as we work through a three year tree planting project. Equal to the staffs' expertise is their kindness and openness to people and organizations that are not traditionally in the urban forestry sector. California ReLeaf's commitment to strengthening our urban forests is contagious, and we are grateful to have them as a key piece to our project's success.
It's great a pleasure to work in coalition with CA ReLeaf! I appreciate their insightful and collaborative staff.
Review from Guidestar
Californie ReLeaf has proven an invaluable coalition partner over the last year (and I assume beforehand, as well, I've only been in this position for a year). The senior staff are incredibly politically savvy and strategic in thinking about how to work cross-sectorally.
Review from Guidestar
I have loved getting California ReLeaf's emails this year that help me know when there are opportunities to apply for funding. They are great about giving us a clear-cut picture of what's going on when it comes to funding for urban forestry on the state and national level. They've also been putting on a series on workshops that seem to be really beneficial for anyone working in the urban forestry would who wants to do a better job integrating into their communities and facilitating important discussions in their areas!
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I worked for ReLeaf for nearly 2 years and have yet to find a staff so passionate and thoughtful about the work they do. This is a small nonprofit doing big things. With such a small staff, you'd find it hard to believe they're the ones keeping all of California's urban forest happenings running strong -- until you get to experience the level of energy, expertise, and enthusiasm firsthand. I've since moved into a different industry but feel grateful to have gotten serious statewide communications experience working at ReLeaf, and lucky to know this team is fighting for the health and well-being of Californians through trees.
California ReLeaf is fantastic! They are truly passionate about what they do and do a phenomenal job of connecting individuals and organizations who care deeply about the environment and their communities.
For such a small staff, California ReLeaf does a heck of a job advocating for protecting, enhancing, and expanding urban forests in California. It's been impressive and inspiring to watch them leverage their limited resources to make such big impact on policies affecting our precious urban forest canopy. As someone who's worked with them in coalition, it's also refreshing to work with an organization that is so collaborative - fully capable of pursuing their mission with passion while also seeing the big picture and working in tandem with other organizations as we all work to tackle the big issues of our time (climate change, public health inequity, etc.).
Review from Guidestar
California ReLeaf provides an important role in the Environmental community and urban communities across the state. The staff is incredibly professional and love the work they do. California ReLeaf is a model organization that deserves high marks for the service they provide.
Review from Guidestar
I became acquainted with California ReLeaf shortly after moving to Sacramento in search of a job in the environmental nonprofit world. The staff met with me without hesitation and helped me come to understand the vast network of environmental nonprofits across California. As a working organization, my impression is that California ReLeaf is well-organized and thoughtful in their actions. Additionally, the staff are easygoing, passionate, and open-minded. Overall, I see the organization as an integral part of California's environmental efforts and I am extremely humbled to have met and worked alongside them.
Working for Los Angeles based urban forestry organizations you don't have the immediate access and ability to build relationships on the state level with elected officials in Sacramento. California ReLeaf masterfully fills that gap by supporting non-profits throughout the State of California by advocating for funding, providing the most current research to decision makers, and bringing together the urban forestry community throughout the state. If you're doing urban forestry work in California get to know California ReLeaf.
Review from Guidestar
When we started Richmond Trees, we knew what we wanted to achieve but not how to get there. With the guidance and support of California ReLeaf we were able to grow our small all volunteer group into a well oiled machine that gets the job done. They have supported us with their networks and webinars and all the support a volunteer group needs to succeed.
Review from Guidestar
Currently working closely with much of the California ReLeaf Staff - extremely knowledgeable, responsive, and all around great. Truly a pleasure and one of the leading NGOs in urban forestry
Review from Guidestar
California ReLeaf is one of the most respected nonprofit voices in California providing education and support for urban forestry across the state. What makes them unique is their capacity to work with organizations and stakeholders in the field and key legislators in the Capitol. It produces great outcomes for urban forests and the communities that depend on them.
Review from Guidestar
CA ReLeaf has a very great reputation in the State Capitol, which is where I spend most of my own professional time. Their ability to work well with groups on the ground, and develop very large coalitions that are consistently coordinated and on message, speaks to the genuine relationships that the organization has fostered throughout California. As a result, CA ReLeaf is an immense powerhouse when it comes to urban forestry advocacy that has consistently delivered great budget outcomes for communities that otherwise would be left behind without ReLeaf's efforts.
Review from Guidestar
I am a policy director at a fellow non-profit working on green infrastructure, water and urban forestry issues. California Relief's tireless work to ensure funding and laws from state-level legislation gets to urban forestry projects is and has been critical to the state's overall success in urban forestry. Thank you CA Releaf!
Review from Guidestar
California ReLeaf is an excellent partner. We rely on their expertise and knowledge of legislative issues. They work extremely well to build coalitions to protect funding for trees in California.
We collaborate with California ReLeaf on policy advocacy and grant administration, and they are a great partner. They are professional and thoughtful, and contribute a lot to our advocacy on urban forestry. Furthermore, we've seen firsthand what a great resource they can be for smaller community groups looking to get started with urban forestry.
Hello, I'm a Certified Arborist with a recidential tree care business . Recently I had the chance to make a presentation about jobs, tree care and diversity. The conference was titled "The Power of Trees". This event was organized by Cindy Blain of California ReLeaf and it was phenomenal. What really impressed me was that the topic of race was part of the education and discussion. It made us look into ourselves and see how we are treated and how we treat others of different races. I thank California ReLeaf for making the space for such important discussion in the tree care industry.
I am a Urban Forest manager working for municipalities throughout CA. Early in my career I found many times that non profit tree groups in our state worked in conflict with tree care professionals. During the last 20 years I've had many occasions to work together with ReLeaf and have found they are educating both the "Tree Huggers" the needs of trees and the professionals the values citizens have for trees. This education has been in multiple forms, my favorite is when we all work together on projects and that is where ReLeaf has been a major partner on many projects I've worked on with them and other industry groups. As example the first time our regional air quality board excepted that trees help clean the air 2004 and funded projects for action through today while we work on developing Best Management practices for Tree Care for Birds and Wildlife. ReLeaf has been a key to helping our urban forests in CA.
Thank you, Andy Trotter
I love California ReLeaf! As an arborist who works for a community tree planting non-profit, they have helped me connect with others in my field. ReLeaf has been instramnetal in helping me develop my knowledge in my field and setting up relationships which have made my organization more successful in our day-to-day activities as well as programatically. Not only have I gained tremendously from their helping hand, but I have also been able to share my knowledge with others in my field through talks I have given at their encouragment. I can't speak highly enough of Califronia ReLeaf!
As our climate changes and our drought lingers on, it becomes crucial that we all begin to understand the importance of our trees. Does the average Californian or for that matter elected official, realize that beyond esthetics, our trees provide cooling to our urban environment and also naturally store gallons and gallons of water in their root systems, to name just a few advantages. California ReLeaf does a fantastic job of educating the citizens of this state, to the incredible benefits of cultivating and protecting our canopy. The information and resources provided by California ReLeaf, will make a "tree hugger" out of the most skeptical amongst us.
The nonprofit I co-founded, Industrial District Green, was just awarded a Social Equity Tree-Planting grant through CALReleaf for 2016. We are a new organization working in an extremely challenging environment in downtown Los Angeles. We had a lot of questions and needed a lot of support in applying for this grant. The staff at CALReleaf were very patient with us and have been quick to answer any questions we had. We are looking forward to a continuing relationship with CALRelaf as we work to green our target zone with many, many more trees.
The Sonoma Ecology Center just joined on as a member group of the California ReLeaf organization and were immediately immersed in great resources, networking and incredible professional development related to urban forestry. We can not say enough about how great and supportive the staff have been in getting our urban forest campaign going in the Sonoma Valley. Thank you so much to Cindy and Melissa and all of the other staff of the organization, your work is so appreciated!
California ReLeaf is the fiscal manager of our Tree Care for Birds and other Wildlife Project which is a statewide partnership between the tree care industry and wildlife advocates. As a co-leader of this all-volunteer project, I have been delighted with the support provided by California Releaf. It has exceeded my expectations. Staff have assisted us in creating and managing a budget and in processing donations and reimbursements, tracking our in-kind donations and providing valuable input on grant writing. They have even attend our quarterly meetings and assist us in networking with other organizations. Our requests and inquiries are always promptly and pleasantly handled. I personally have greater peace of mind and confidence about the outcome of our ambitious project because of our partnership with California Releaf.
I love ReLeaf! They have helped our organization get started as a local tree nonprofit in our neighborhood.
The Roseville Urban Forest Foundation has been a long standing member and has greatly benefited from the support CA ReLEAF efforts provide. They have helped us many times over the years with professional guidance and with funding projects through grants. They have provided opportunity to increase our awareness and knowledge of urban forestry through workshops and access to an amazing network of like-minded groups across the state.
The staff’s dedication and expertise is second to none. They have a “can do” philosophy. They are leaders in advocating for healthy urban forests at the state level, which in turn empowers local community groups.
California ReLeaf is one of the premier - if not THE premier - state-level advocacy organizations focused on urban forestry. Their staff is deeply-experienced in Capitol work and they create compelling narratives about the importance of urban forestry to shade our neighborhoods, clean our air, and beautify our communities.
California ReLeaf has done a great job of passing along grant opportunities and funds to communities and groups to facilitate tree planting, tree maintenance, and tree education. They have partnered with other organizations to expand resources, advocate for trees, and demonstrate the value of trees where people live, work, and play.
If you are interested in grant funds, participating with projects for planting trees, or want information about the value and importance of trees, California ReLeaf can provide the information or partner to help you.
Review from Guidestar
As a marketing/communications advisor to California ReLeaf over the last several years, I have found them to articulate a clear mission and objectives, and to deliver on the mission with strategic thinking and actions. From advocating for urban trees at the state level, to serving members through grants and technical assistance, staff have also taken new leadership roles to facilitate the development of cohesive statewide messaging on the drought and caring for trees. The trees and urban forests are lucky to have this organization!
Review from Guidestar
As an urban ecology consultant, I've worked with CA Releaf in several capacities. Their dedication to urban forestry and their professionalism are unsurpassed. They work tirelessly, and often unseen, to advocate for trees and the organizations that support urban forestry. The resources they offer--from their newsletter to their webinars to their grant opportunities--make the field stronger and more valuable.
Review from Guidestar
The CaReleaf team is the go to resource for State of California legislation, education materials, and technical support. Cindy Blain and Chuck Mills have built valuable relationships with government, non-profit and industry partners. We admire their leadership; not an easy task in the largest state in the union! Thanks, Lee Ayres , CEO, Tree Fresno
Review from Guidestar
I decided to become a member of CA Releaf because I was inspired by their work that supports community-based organizations and they are moving in the right direction with Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in mind and practice. They're putting in the work.
Review from Guidestar
It is a great honor for me to work with California ReLeaf, as a partner and director. Over 25 years, California ReLeaf has built a reputation as a national leader in the field of urban and community forestry. As the umbrella organization leading over 90 community non-profit groups, ReLeaf focuses on increasing awareness and involvement in tree planting and stewardship of California's urban landscapes. Measured by the number of trees planted and surviving, the number of volunteers engaged, and the health of our urban and community forests, California ReLeaf celebrates statewide success year after year. Now engaged in the Save Our Water and Our Trees! campaign, ReLeaf is using its broad network of partners and volunteers to get the word out about saving our investment in trees, while saving water during California's drought.
Review from Guidestar
I have worked closely with CA Releaf. Their staff combine in-depth expertise on urban forestry with persistent advocacy, dedication to their mission, and a truly collaborative approach to working with allies. I strongly commend CA Releaf to anyone interested in trees.
Review from Guidestar
California ReLeaf has been a stellar partner and friend to the California Climate and Agriculture Network. Their efforts to unify various organizations around a common goal have been crucial to our own work, as well as that of countless other groups. California ReLeaf staff are driven, experienced, creative, professional, and -- most of all -- a blast to work with.
Review from Guidestar
I am the President of a non-profit in Riverside California called Victoria Avenue Forever. We are an all-volunteer organization that is dedicated to the beautification and preservation of a historic street (on the National Register of Historic Places) called Victoria Avenue. We plant trees and roses and plant and maintain "pocket park" gardens. CA ReLeaf has been a tremendous resource for us. Among the aid they have provided is helping us get liability insurance, providing funding for planting trees and providing support through their newsletters, Facebook page and website.
Review from Guidestar
California ReLeaf has offered consistent support for programs, funding, and general administration. They are a dedicated team working statewide to implement real change in our urban forest and committed to empowering local groups like Tree Davis to work efficiently and effectively.
California ReLeaf provides services to urban forestry non-profit organizations throughout the state. As President of the Board of Tree San Diego, i can attest to the fact that ReLeaf has been extremely helpful. We are a relatively new non-profit and have benefited by many types of information that ReLeaf has provided us. Through their excellent network they have also provided access to knowledgeable people in other urban forestry non-profit organizations. We also have benefited by the advocacy they provide for the benefits of urban tree canopy in the state.
I am a long-standing member of the board of the Markham Regional Arboretum Society in Concord, CA. We raise funds for and help maintain a nature park in the very middle of the town. Despite its proximity to wealthy Bay Area locales, Concord is a vibrant but economically challenged community. As such, it needs a park like this so much more than you can imagine.
That said, CA ReLeaf is one of our go-to organizations, helping us with grants, advice, and a fabulous network of like-minded groups. They have helped us raise not only our awareness of how we can put our assets (i.e., the park, our volunteers, etc.) to more effective use, but working with them has also raised our game in how we approach our programming, our services, and our very mission: we had overlooked (!) our function as an urban forest, and this alone has given us new focus.
Each person on the very small staff is deeply dedicated, positive, and genuinely nice. I am proud to be associated with CA ReLeaf and can only hope that they get to do even more for California, and the world, for many years.
California ReLeaf is a leader in the field of urban forestry and conservation. The staff is well respected, diligent, smart, strategic and attuned to the needs of the communities they work with and serve. They extend to form collaborative relationships that leverage their influence and mission to diverse sectors and communities, and create webs of advocates and partners that support each other. It is a pleasure to work with them!
I am very proud to be associated with Cal ReLeaf. They are an outstanding group of advocates and experts who contribute so much to our communities to make them healthy and beautiful. They are a group of professionals who are dedicated to educating the public, beautifying the community, and empowering individuals. Their contribution helps ensure our state will be beautiful today and for future generations, passing on a legacy of conservation and environmental awareness.
As an environmental professional and Sacramento lobbyist I have been consistently impressed by California ReLeaf's impact on state policy and funding decisions. It is an absolute certainty that the state budget would contain millions of dollars less for urban greening and other conservation efforts if California ReLeaf were not engaged in Sacramento.
CA ReLeaf is a valuable partner, with my unqualified support.
California ReLeaf is a dedicated organization that supports much needed natural resources in California's urban communities. I've had the opportunity to work closely with them and believe their guidance on environmental issues has truly made a difference for California residents and our urban ecosystems. They continue to be a leader in their field.
California ReLeaf has been a steadfast and purpose-driven ally in the environmental and environmental justice communities' efforts to bring about considerable change. In particular, their state-level leadership in conservation and natural resource advocacy related to climate change has been remarkable.
I count myself lucky to get to work with California ReLeaf.
California Releaf is the hub of communication and support for urban and community forestry efforts throughout the state. The Sacramento Tree Foundation is a founding member and greatly benefits from the network, its members, workshops and advocacy efforts. Specifically, California ReLEAF legislative advocacy efforts have elevated urban and community forestry as a legitimate strategy to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, local community efforts have a much better chance of receiving services or dollars they need.
I am fortunate to work with CA Releaf on issues related to climate change and natural resources. Their leadership on these issues in California as made all the difference in forwarding climate change solutions that include solid investments in urban forestry.
I find California Releaf a much needed and effective voice for the grassroots nonprofit tree network throughout the state of California. Their advocacy efforts have resulted in vast new resources being dedicated to greening our communities by bringing recognition to the inextricable links between urban tree canopies and the many accrued benefits, such as carbon sequestration, urban heat island amelioration, cleaning the air we breathe, energy conservation, and improving the health and well-being of all California residents. For me their work in educating policy and decision makers, combined with providing net-working opportunities with my fellow urban forest community benefit organizations, has brought us much greater opportunities to make the communities we serve better, healthier and more livable communities.
I am new to the Housing Sector and knew very little about Urban Forestry coming into this field. On my first day and every week since, I have had the opportunity to work with Chuck Mills vial our multi-sector Sustainable Communities for All coalition. He has taught me so much about the critical work California ReLeaf does, how these issues connect to everything else, and how to effectively advocate for urban forestry as part of the package for building healthy, sustainable communities. California ReLeaf is a valuable, reliable partner who effectively advocates for the policy and resources necessary to advance urban forestry and so much more in California.
I am a former employee of California ReLeaf and a current donor to the organization. In my 4+ years with the organization, I was consistently impressed with the organization at every level-- its professional staff and board, its wise use of resources, its integrity, and its effectiveness in advancing urban forestry in California. I am proud of the work they are doing to make California a better place to live and work.
California ReLeaf supports urban forestry statewide in California. Through communications, lobbying, and administering grants they have helped dozens of urban forestry groups across the state. Without them, the outlook for urban forestry across California would be much bleaker.
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California ReLeaf is a great non-profit that accomplishes a lot for the California urban forestry community. In the past, California ReLeaf has helped our organization (a very small urban forestry non-profit) receive grant funding on multiple projects that have really helped us work toward achieving our mission to plant and care for trees and educate our community.
Besides funding, California ReLeaf is always there to support us with outreach materials and press packets to make it really easy for us to communicate to our constituents and run really high quality programs without much front-end effort. This is key for us because we only have one half-time staff person to execute our programs.
California ReLeaf is also always on the front-line in Sacramento representing urban forestry interests on behalf of its members, many of them small non-profits like ours. We surely do not have the resources to ensure the interests of trees are represented in the capital city.
And it should noted that California ReLeaf achieves all this work with only a few staff people. They are a very efficient non-profit. Thank you for being awesome, California ReLeaf!
California ReLeaf has established a track record of success in its role as Volunteer Coordinator for CalFire's Urban and Community Forestry program. Since its inception, California ReLeaf has been a leader in urban forestry in California. Its Board is committed to continuing, and strengthening, that role.
My journey into the world of urban forestry nonprofits has always had California ReLeaf with me. When I first began managing a small environmental nonprofit (1995), ReLeaf was my guide; offering advise, mentoring, reassuring. As that program grew, ReLeaf was more of a partner; providing grant opportunities, sharing tools of the trade, encouraging us. Later, when ReLeaf came to me and asked me for assistance, I was more than willing. I helped mentor other new network groups, shared our story, and served on various boards.
Currently I serve on the board of directors and have been a past president and treasurer. I enjoy sharing with other outside of the urban forest arena about the great work of California ReLeaf. Together the diverse network membership, the dedicated and energetic staff, and the knowledgeable board are advancing urban and community forestry in our state. I am proud to work with an organization that can make such a positive difference!
The Urban Conservation Corps of the Inland Empire give California Releaf 10 stars! California ReLeaf is a great non-profit organization that operates statewide and truly helps grassroots and community based agencies protect the environment, as well as helps us build greater skills among inner city youth as it relates to caring for the land, trees and neighborhoods. For years, Cal Releaf has been instrumental helping some of the poorest areas in the Inland Empire breathe new life and excitement about urban forestry, air pollution and environmental stewardship.
In addition, California Releaf is also our right hand for advocacy and policy making as it relates to the environment and our neighborhoods. When this agency goes after change, they make it happen and it benefits the entire State of California. That makes them great!
CA Releaf has been instrumental in Woodland Tree Foundation's successful tree planting and Arbor Day events during the last several years. They have been a major source of funding for trees planted by our volunteers, allowing WTF to plant hundreds of shade trees at schools and along city streets. Their Arbor Day grants have provided funding for trees and publicity enabling this annual event to grow in popularity and volunteer support. Their staff regularly attend Arbor Day in Woodland to support our efforts. CA ReLeaf has also been a strong voice in Sacramento promoting the work of the ReLeaf network and the value of trees to combat global warming; they continue to advocate for additional state resources for tree planting. Through regular email communications and their newsletter CA ReLeaf keeps their membership informed of legislation at the state Capitol that is of importance to tree planting efforts; they also provide information about training workshops and profile the interesting and inspirational work of other tree organizations. We are proud to be a member of CA ReLeaf! Their organizational efforts give small tree planting nonprofits like Woodland Tree Foundation a stronger voice in all matters that pertain to trees and environmental enhancement of our communities. Their staff are very accessible and consistently provide high quality technical assistance.
California ReLeaf rocks. Ever since it was founded under the leadership of Isabel Wade in the late 80's, California Releaf remains THE statewide advocate for both urban forestry and the nonprofits making it happen at the neighborhood level.
In addition to the valuable workshops and materials it provides to nonprofits, CaliforniaReLeaf continues to be a major influence in bringing millions of dollars of federal and state funds to California communities through intense legislative tracking and advocacy.
Thank you Joe, Chuck and Ashley, et al, for all you do to support the efforts of California's urban forestry nonprofits - "the boots on the ground".
The mission of CalReleaf is an important one and the dedicated, savvy staff are doing exemplary work in serving that mission. From providing assistance, funding and direction to small local non-profit community action groups to advocating on the State or National level for government support, CalReleaf is truly a Great Nonprofit organization.
Urban Corps is proud to be partnered with California ReLeaf. We have worked together to plant hundreds of trees in San Diego County. In the process, we have raised awareness of the benefits of the urban forest and helped provide paid job training and a second chance to the at-risk youth we serve. By advocating for and planting trees, California ReLeaf is not only helping green our urban landscape, they are helping us achieve our mission of offering green job training and high school education to youth. This is a win-win for our community. Thank you CalReleaf!
California ReLeaf has been a wonderful partner to work with over the past several years. Their commitment to urban forestry is inspiring. They are true leaders in the field.
I had the opportunity to work with California ReLeaf on a planting project I helped organize at an elementary school. ReLeaf staff were always helpful and readily available to answer questions or offer support while I was preparing my application and planning my planting event. The organization has excellent resources for grantees putting together urban forestry projects. The entire grant process was easy to navigate and was an overall great experience.
California ReLeaf has been a consistent player in the community based urban forestry world since I've been involved back in the early '90's...that's a long time!
Through their educational programs and annual conferences to their networking of other urban forestry groups in California, Friends of the Urban Forest has been able to both share 'trade secrets' and gain them from other organizations.
In the past recent years ReLeaf has been a solid source of funding for several start-up innovative programs that simply would not have gotten off the ground with out such financial assist.
Another huge funding opportunity became available from ReLeaf when we proposed our tree planting, tree care and Youth Tree Care Programs as 'shovel ready' when Federal Stimulus money became available to urban forestry groups. ReLeaf worked very hard to bring those funds into the urban forestry world here in California.
With constant updates on potential Senate and Assembly bills which can influence funding to urban forestry, ReLeaf has successfully leveraged their member's connections to their local State leaders sharing language that groups like ours may use to persuade these leaders to use urban forestry as a solution in several successful bills on parks and clean water measures.
We appreciate the staff that work hard for our group as well as the smaller urban forestry groups in the State.
Thank you CA ReLeaf!
Koreatown Youth and Community Center has been working with California ReLeaf for several years now, and they provide a much needed service to the urban forestry community of California. Through great educational programs and webinars, print materials, and grant funding they help make my organizations work possible in the community. They also play a key role in advocating for the urban forestry community at the state level to ensure funding for the many tree planting, care, and educational programs being provided to our communities.
Very thankful to California ReLeaf for their support!
I work for Tree Musketeers, a youth-led environmental organization located in Southern California. My group has been a member of the California ReLeaf Network since 1991. The benefits we have received range from first class conferences to grants, advocacy at the state capital and valuable resources. ReLeaf is a pivot point for California's urban forestry movement and brings nearly 100 groups together for an amplified voice.
I also have served on ReLeaf's board of directors since its incorporation. I can attest that ReLeaf is a soundly structured organization with a clear vision and viable mission. It's board comprises diversely talented members who are engaged and dedicated. Likewise, the small staff brings the right mix of professional skills to implement big programs with the utmost of precision in aggressive pursuit of the mission. I cannot say enough about the high esteem I hold for California ReLeaf and its people.
North East Trees is a small urban forestry non-profit based out of north east Los Angeles. Over the past 25 years we have planted over 100,000 trees and trained hundreds of at risk youth in the disadvantaged communities that we serve. We do big work for such a small organization. None of this would be possible without the ongoing support of our partner organization, California ReLeaf. As an advocate in Sacramento, California ReLeaf has helped our organization access much needed funding and has done an incredible job educating our elected officials about the importance of urban forestry statewide. They have been extremely efficient, competent and passionate about the work that they do. Without them, our communities would be less green and our cities less livable. California ReLeaf is a great friend of our urban forests and those who work with them. Thank you California ReLeaf. Please keep doing what you are doing!
We are the HB Tree Society, Inc. an all volunteer-run 501(c)(3) dedicated to increasing the urban forest in Huntington Beach, California and outskirts. We started in 1998 as a small grass roots organization. Throughout the years CA ReLeaf has provided us an extraordinary amount of support. They have donated generous grants throughout the years, offered amazing seminars and have always been there for advice and encouragement. Thanks to CA ReLeaf, our all-volunteer organization has become a viable part of the sourounding Huntington Beach community. We have planted/given away over 6,000 trees over the last decade.
We attribute our increase in green infrastructure to the support received from CA Re-Leaf. They have been tree-riffic and our partnership has been tree-mendous! Their statewide tree workshops have broadened our knowledge and been a tree-mendous asset on us becoming more efficient with the care of trees. The workshops have brightened our spirits and and fired us up to keep going through tough economic times.
When you are a small group its essential that larger groups take you under their wings. CA Re-Leaf has certainly done this and helped us FLY.
ReLeaf really does "empower grassroots efforts"..".that preserve, protect and enhance California's urban and community forests. No amount og praise for their work is enough. It is an inspiration to join with them in this most valuable work. - Dave Richardson
California ReLeaf is a wonderful organization that supports local tree nonprofits across California through community-based grants, education programs, mentoring, and advocacy. The staff is top-notch – very professional and friendly!
I am a new and proud member of the board of directors for California ReLeaf. We are a fiscally sound organization providing a wealth of resources and support to grassroots organizations throughout California who are working to improve, enhance, and grow urban and community forests. Whether it is developing strategic partnerships, monitoring and working on legislation, or growing our community network, we are at the forefront of all things urban forestry.
I work for a outdoor sceintific education non profit called Kids & Creeks. We are based in Chico, California. Thanks to our 2012 grant from Cal ReLeaf we have been able to restore habitat at three city parks and will be planting 25 trees at those parks in January. More than 600 local elementary students have already participated or will participate in this urban forestry work for the city. They ranged in age from 4th grade all the way up to 8th grade students. We have been able to get students from low income schools on cost free field trips that they may not have been able to go on with the grant. Cal ReLeaf not only helped fund valuable tree care work, tree planting, and invasive species removal but also helped educate students about the importance of urban forestry. Our entire organization, the students who did the work and the whole community have benefitted from our Cal ReLeaf grant. THANK YOU from Kids & Creeks and the City of Chico!!
As the head of an all-volunteer group whose goal is to make our city a city of tree-lined streets, I have found both moral support and technical expertise from the ReLeaf staff. They are extremely accessible; I have never known them to not return calls or emails immediately. And they are genuinely helpful. For example, they paid for a director of a larger tree organization to meet with us and talk about stepping up our efforts.The organization helps small groups in small towns like us to navigate larger bureaucracies like the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection at the same time as it funnels tree money from the state to us.
Thanks to California ReLeaf, volunteers in Oakland will be planting 25 California native trees in Wood Park. It beautifies while helping our watershed, the air the people!! It gives many youth volunteers a good opportunity to garden in our park and enjoy teamwork with stewardship. Thanks CA Releaf for your grant.
Cal ReLeaf has been a great resource, especially with respect to urban forest/urban greening advocacy and grants support. I would encourage any urban forest or urban greening grassroots organization to invest in the annual membership in order to have access to this great team of experts. They'll help build your knowledge base as well as your network of like-minded organizations.
Goleta Valley Beautiful joined California ReLeaf in the 1990’s as a small all volunteer urban forestry organization, about the same time I became involved with both organizations. In those days, annual conferences were a homey affair, usually involving staying overnight at a college dorm in the summer when the facilities weren’t being used by students. As our organizations have matured, we’ve been able to stay on the forefront of what works best in urban forestry through the leadership of California ReLeaf linking us with a statewide army of volunteer organizations. The resources California ReLeaf develops on our behalf are the essential building blocks for sustaining the core of Goleta Valley Beautiful. But while the leadership has changed, and the conferences have become more polished, California ReLeaf is still the go to place for recharging your personal and professional batteries. Joe, Chuck, Ashley and those who have come before and the next generation to come have been treasured colleagues and personal friends. They listen, anticipate, and lead. They help us grow by sharing, and we all prosper because of it. We need more of them.
Without hesitation, I joined California ReLeaf’s board of directors in 2012. California ReLeaf is the only organization that assembles and coordinates a network of community-based groups to support urban and community forests throughout the state.
California ReLeaf is a fiscally responsible organization accomplishing its mission and goals with minimal overhead. The organization’s staff consistently monitors state and federal legislation to influence policy on behalf of urban forestry, and works tirelessly to assist their network members in increasing state-wide knowledge about the myriad benefits of trees in our communities.
In this era of increasing climate-change, the work of California ReLeaf to preserve, protect, and enhance our urban forests is more important than ever. Supporting California ReLeaf assures these good works continue.
Review from Guidestar
When asked to join the California Releaf Board in 2009, I had only experienced the organization from a network member point of view. As a network member, I was really pleased with the level of support and opportunities provided for highlighting our local activities. During my time on the board, I have had the opportunity to witness and oversee the daily operations and activities of the team and have to say I am so impressed. The same support I received as a network member transferred to my board experience. Monthly staff reports, excellent follow up on questions and financials that demonstrate topknotch fiduciary care. It's a wonderful experience.
When Canopy first joined California ReLeaf, in the mid 1990's, we immediately benefited tangibly from the various programs offered such as access to a network of urban forestry nonprofits for advice and best practices, excellent newsletters and conferences, as well as opportunities to receive tree planting grants.
Since then, California ReLeaf has grown to become the main empowerment agency for our network.
In particular, ReLeaf's successful legislative advocacy efforts give a voice to California's urban forestry/ecosystem nonprofits or groups, most of which are small or volunteer-based.
Review from Guidestar