Los Angeles TreePeople
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| Los Angeles TreePeople | |
|---|---|
| Name | TreePeople |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founders | Andy Lipkis |
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California |
| Region served | Greater Los Angeles |
| Focus | Urban forestry, watershed stewardship, environmental education |
Los Angeles TreePeople is a nonprofit environmental organization based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 1973 to inspire residents to take personal responsibility for the urban forest and watersheds of the Los Angeles region. The organization works across municipal boundaries in the County of Los Angeles, engages with civic institutions like the City of Los Angeles, partners with regional agencies such as the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and collaborates with environmental NGOs including the Sierra Club and The Nature Conservancy. TreePeople’s activities span tree planting, watershed restoration, youth education, climate resilience projects, and advocacy that intersect with initiatives led by entities like the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the United States Forest Service.
History
TreePeople was established in 1973 by environmental activist Andy Lipkis after early volunteer efforts connected with events involving figures from the Grateful Dead-associated community and grassroots movements in the 1970s; the organization evolved alongside civic milestones such as the development of the Los Angeles River revitalization discourse and the passage of statewide conservation measures like the California Environmental Quality Act. During the 1980s and 1990s TreePeople expanded operations amid municipal investments in urban greening associated with projects near the Griffith Park and partnerships with academic institutions such as the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Southern California. In the 2000s the organization scaled programs in response to climate concerns highlighted by agencies including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and regional planning frameworks developed by the Southern California Association of Governments. Recent decades saw collaboration with utility and water authorities including Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and engagement with philanthropic funders such as the Walt Disney Company and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.
Mission and Programs
TreePeople’s mission centers on urban forestry, watershed stewardship, and civic engagement, connecting municipal priorities in Los Angeles with ecosystem services valued by agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and community stakeholders represented by groups such as the Los Angeles Conservation Corps. Core programs include tree planting that aligns with standards from the Arbor Day Foundation and technical guidance informed by research from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The organization operates volunteer-driven initiatives similar in scope to programs run by the Trust for Public Land and works in concert with local school districts such as the Los Angeles Unified School District to deliver education curricula modeled on environmental education frameworks used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of Education.
Urban Forestry and Tree Planting Initiatives
TreePeople conducts large-scale urban forestry projects across neighborhoods, collaborating with municipal partners like the City of Pasadena, the City of Long Beach, and the City of Glendale. The organization implements species selection and inventory practices consistent with guidelines from the International Society of Arboriculture and works with landscape professionals registered with the California Landscape Architects Technical Committee. Projects include street-tree planting, park canopy restoration, and green infrastructure installations tied to stormwater capture strategies employed by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District and modeled after urban greening projects in cities such as New York City, Chicago, and Seattle. TreePeople’s planting campaigns draw volunteers alongside corporate partners including Wells Fargo and Bank of America and coordinate with community groups like the Watts Neighborhood Council and the Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council.
Environmental Education and Community Engagement
Educational outreach targets youth and adult learners through programs located at facilities near Coldwater Canyon and programs delivered in partnership with institutions such as the California State Parks system. TreePeople’s curricula intersect with standards promoted by the California Environmental Literacy Initiative and are delivered in collaboration with nonprofits like Green Schools Alliance and civic youth programs such as AmeriCorps. Community engagement includes public events akin to festivals hosted by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and neighborhood workshops supported by the Mayor of Los Angeles office and local neighborhood councils. These efforts support workforce development pathways that connect participants with employer networks including the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and county parks departments.
Research and Advocacy
TreePeople generates applied research on urban canopy cover, stormwater management, and heat island mitigation, often partnering with academic laboratories at the University of California, Berkeley, the California Institute of Technology, and the University of California, Irvine. The organization’s data and advocacy have been cited in policy discussions before bodies such as the Los Angeles City Council and the California State Legislature and inform planning tools used by the Southern California Edison and regional planners at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Los Angeles County). Research collaborations incorporate remote sensing methods developed by institutions like the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and modeling approaches used by the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
Organizational Structure and Funding
TreePeople operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with governance provided by a board that has included leaders from entities such as the Natural Resources Defense Council, the California Community Foundation, and the Rockefeller Foundation. Funding streams combine philanthropic grants from foundations including the Annenberg Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, government grants from agencies like the California Natural Resources Agency, corporate sponsorships from firms such as Southern California Edison, and earned revenue through consulting agreements with municipal clients including the City of Los Angeles. Volunteer engagement and membership dues augment fiscal support, while partnerships with workforce programs like Los Angeles Conservation Corps help deliver operational capacity.
Notable Projects and Impact
Notable projects include watershed restoration work in the Santa Monica Mountains, green infrastructure installations in the Sepulveda Basin, and urban canopy initiatives in neighborhoods across South Los Angeles that parallel regional resilience projects undertaken by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. TreePeople’s contributions have been recognized in coverage by outlets such as the Los Angeles Times and have influenced municipal plans like the Los Angeles Green New Deal and the city’s urban forestry master plans. The organization’s long-term impact is reflected in increased tree canopy assessments conducted with partners such as the USDA Forest Service and policy shifts promoting nature-based solutions championed by leaders at the Mayor’s Office of Los Angeles.