Take a minute to think about your average school playground here in LA. Chances are what you’re envisioning more closely resembles a long-forgotten parking lot – a barren, treeless expanse of cracked blacktop that fades into a mirage as the sun beats down upon it. This is a far cry from a welcoming and hospitable…
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Time to Plan, Not to Plant!
May 25, 2018Are you thinking about finally getting around to replacing that brown lawn in your front yard? Thinking of taking advantage of one of the many rebates to help turn your non-functional turf into a California native plant landscape? Envious of your neighbor that already has a climate-ready garden? Well, take a breath… the hot, rainless…
We Call Her Big Mama Oak
May 11, 2018We call her Big Mama Oak. Most hikers in Coldwater Canyon Park probably don’t know her by name, but I am well acquainted with her. She has likely been a resident of our park for somewhere between 200 and 300 years. Coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia), like Big Mama Oak, can live to be 850…
TreePeople & LA Take a Giant Step Toward Resilience
April 18, 2018“Resilience is a value that guides everything we do in Los Angeles, because we know that the decisions we make today will shape the future our children and grandchildren will inherit. The Resilient Los Angeles plan will help us strengthen our infrastructure, protect our economy, make our institutions more inclusive, and create safer neighborhoods.” –…
Magnificent March for Green Youth Leaders
April 18, 2018“Our youths are the roots of our future and the leaf canopy to our human existence. They must thrive, and we must empower them too.” Students across LA are leading the charge in their communities like never before! Just last month, TreePeople’s Youth Leadership Program accomplished some magnificent numbers: 130 Youth Directly Engaged In Events…
Growing a Greener Future One Acorn at a Time
April 12, 2018In 1977, TreePeople set roots at Coldwater Canyon Park, a 45-acre slice of wonder hidden in the Santa Monica mountains. The former fire station is home to miles of hiking trails, magnificent old oak trees, and some of the most scenic vistas in the LA. For over 40 years, we’ve had a profound connection to…
The Spirit of Place
April 12, 2018Working at TreePeople, if I am going to talk the talk, I felt I needed to walk the walk. Some years ago I began converting my traditional lawn-covered yard into a more sustainable, climate-ready version. My husband was game, thrilled that he would not have to mow anymore! In addition to removing the lawn, we…
Growing a Green Future at Carthay Elementary
March 21, 2018A green future is a bright future when it involves our schools. Last month, TreePeople, along with our partners Boeing and The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation, helped transform the campus of Carthay Center Elementary School. With the aid of students, teachers, and all manner of volunteers from the local community, our team…
The Shape of the Landscape
March 21, 2018As of the end of January, LA had seen just 28% of its average precipitation since October – the official beginning of our region’s rainy season. On the heels of another incredibly dry winter, 22% of California is still in “severe drought” – so doing what we can in our yards is essential! Mother Nature…
Youth Leaders Aim for Climate-Ready Schools!
March 20, 2018The future of our environment lies in the hands of our teens, and we couldn’t be more excited! Earlier this month, our Environmental Education department hosted one of our favorite events, The Youth Leadership Summit. Every year we invite students from all over the County who are eager to change the future of LA’s environmental…
Everyone has a Tree Story
March 13, 2018“Everyone has a tree story.” Chris Imhoff, our Director of Program Development, would know, as she’s been working with TreePeople since 1979. They say when you work in nonprofit, you wear a lot of hats. In Yurt Village, we like to say that Chris has worn them all. Chris began with TreePeople as an Intern…
Cause a Chain Reaction: How To Install a Rain Chain
February 14, 2018As we all wait patiently for winter rains, installing a rain chain will add a fun, new aesthetic to your garden to make stormy days a little more fun. Wildflowers popping up from the warmth of the spring will love them too! Install a rain chain! Rain chains are functional, beautiful alternatives to downspouts. Instead…