TreePeople’s Monthly Newsletter for October 2026

October is Oaktober, and I can’t think of a better time to invest in the future of Los Angeles than by getting more coast live oaks in the ground. These remarkable trees are a keystone species in California, supporting an incredible diversity of wildlife and contributing to the health of our ecosystems. They may take years to reach their full majesty, but that is part of what makes them so special: their canopies will provide shade, shelter, and beauty for generations to come. This Saturday at TreePeople headquarters, we’re giving away coast live oak saplings so more Angelenos can be part of that legacy. These trees need room to grow, so if you have space for roots with a 30-foot diameter, now is the time to claim your free seedling. Imagine the generations of people and wildlife who will one day gather beneath the tree you plant today. What an incredible way to grow a greener future for Los Angeles!

Cassie Rauser
The Fielding Family CEO, TreePeople

Oaktoberfest Oak Giveaway!

On October 24, join us at TreePeople’s Coldwater Canyon Park as we celebrate the majestic oak trees that help sustain our Southern California ecosystem! We’ll be giving away hundreds of FREE coast live oak saplings (while supplies last) with our Rooting for LA ambassadors, as part of our initiative to plant and distribute 28,000 trees in Greater Los Angeles before 2028.

Rsvp to claim your tree

Spooky Moonlight Hike feat. Dream Crease

Have you ever wondered what strange and wonderful creatures traverse the trails of Coldwater Canyon Park after dark? Come find out at our Spooky Moonlight Hike on October 23! During this special Halloween edition of our monthly evening hike series, our education team will introduce you to some of the creepy bugs and critters that bring our park to life at night.

The evening’s eerie vibes will be set by a 7pm performance from ambient musician Dream Crease—programmed by Living Earth—before we split into our hiking groups promptly at 8pm. Parking is limited, and carpooling and ridesharing to our park at Coldwater and Mulholland Drive is highly encouraged…and so are costumes. Bring your flashlight, hiking shoes, and get ready to hit the trails…if you dare!

Get your tickets!

From Asphalt to Ecosystem

This past September, we were thrilled to celebrate the opening of Wilmington Middle School’s new green schoolyard, a sprawling green infrastructure project that’s been years in the making. Featuring cooling trees, biodiverse gardens, vibrant learning and community spaces, and a biofiltration system capable of capturing 20,000+ gallons of water, it’s an example of how school campuses can become resilient, climate adapted ecosystems that benefit both our students and our communities.

Take a peek at the transformation

Introducing our Rooting for LA Ambassadors!

We’re so excited to announce our ALL-STAR TEAM of Rooting for LA Ambassadors! We’re thrilled that creators Leah Thomas, Stephanie Carrie, Suzie Hicks, Isaias Hernandez, and Bradley Rydholm will be joining us on our journey to plant 28,000 trees in Greater Los Angeles by 2028! Get to know our ambassador team, and then learn more about how YOU can join us in Rooting for LA by volunteering with us or supporting our work.

Meet the ambassadors

Holiday Tree Dedication Cards

Give a gift that keeps on growing! This holiday season, share the joy of trees with TreePeople’s beautifully designed Tree Dedication Cards. Whether you’re celebrating someone special, honoring a loved one, or simply spreading a little more green in the world, a tree dedication is a meaningful way to give back. Our physical and digital cards are ready to order, making it easy to give a gift that celebrates trees and helps create a greener future for generations to come!

Order yours today!

Whale Tail Bill Passes

Last month Assembly Bill 2734—aka the Whale Tail Bill—was officially signed into law! Learn why this bill is exciting news for outdoor equity and access in California—and how you can help support programs that connect kids and families with nature by getting your own Whale Tail plate today!

Read all about it

A Special Outdoor Read-Aloud

On October 25th at 11:00 AM, join author Josh Oaktree underneath a canopy of coast live oaks for a special free reading of his new book Do You Speak Tree? A modern Lorax, Do You Speak Tree? is a nearly wordless graphic novel for young readers, and attendees will get to help Josh make up the story! In the spirit of the upcoming holiday, please feel free to come dressed up as your favorite animal or tree.

More info

Greener schoolyard = cooler place to learn! Our Green Infrastructure team and partners transformed more than 15,000 square feet of asphalt at Wilmington Middle School STEAM Magnet into a green schoolyard. Watch CBS LA and students explore the new outdoor classroom, stormwater capture system, shade trees and more than 1,000 plants!

What does it take to foster environmental resilience across diverse landscapes of Los Angeles? Our Fielding Family CEO, Dr. Cassie Rauser, delves into this topic and more in the most recent episode of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Unearthing Optimism podcast. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

Cold Creek Trail is one of three best hikes in Los Angeles! Nestled in the Cold Creek Valley Preserve, cared for by our TreePeople Land Trust, is a shady riparian habitat near Calabasas with a gently flowing creek that features multiple short cascades. Read more about this gorgeous trail in The Wild by the Los Angeles Times.

To celebrate a half-century of nature, adventure, and community at Malibu Creek State Park, TreePeople offered free tree cuttings for attendees to plant at home, along with tips on how to care for them at the 50th anniversary of the beautiful park. Read more in The Acorn.

This spiky winter plant referred to by the National Park Service as "the plant that ate California," has now invaded more than 12 million acres across the state. TreePeople notes that yellow starthistle crowds out native plants and absorbs critical moisture from the soil. For our recommended methods on removal, learn more in The Sacramento Bee, San Luis Obispo Tribune, and other syndicated articles.

A Los Angeles couple transformed their home into a roughly 3,000-square-foot native garden with drought-tolerant grass, California native plants, a coast live oak, and more. After volunteering with TreePeople, their interest in native plants flourished! Read more in Bright Side and MSN.

We are Hiring!

Turn your love for the environment into a career at TreePeople! We’re looking for passionate environmental enthusiasts to join our growing team. Now hiring for multiple positions: including roles in community forestry, mountain restoration, administration, communications, and more. Working at TreePeople isn’t just a job, it’s an opportunity to build a career making a difference in the world. If you share our vision of a greener world, apply today!

View jobs & internships

Follow us on social media

TreePeople | 12601 Mulholland Drive, CA 90210 | info@treepeople.org

Copyright © 2026, All rights reserved.