On May 15th, Walter Passmore will become Palo Alto's first Urban Forester, whose mission will be to bring to life the City's Urban Forest Master Plan. Canopy Executive Director Catherine Martineau assisted in the creation and the hiring of this new City position. Passmore brings more than 20 years of experience to his Palo Alto post.

Most recently the Urban Forester in Austin, Texas, Passmore oversaw 300,000 trees in Austin's public spaces with a $1.5 million budget. His responsibilities included assessment and management of the urban forest, including park and street trees and coordination of public information. He also provided technical assistance to individuals, city departments, and community groups, and coordinated partnership projects with multiple organizations.

Passmore was previously employed as City Forester for Dallas, Texas, Community Assistance Forester for the Mississippi Forestry Commission, Research Forester for the USDA Forest Service, among other positions.

A Bay Area native, he grew up in San Francisco, is a certified arborist, has a B.S. degree in Forestry/Natural Resource Management from California Polytechnic State University, and is currently completing a master's degree in public administration at Texas State University.   

 
Each year the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund raises money to support programs serving families and children in the Palo Alto area. Canopy was honored to be awarded a Holiday Fund grant this year.

The $3,000 grant will fund trees and supplies for creating much needed shade and landscaping at Cesar Chavez Academy in East Palo Alto. Over the last 18 years, the Holiday Fund has raised and distributed more than $4 million to local nonprofits that serve children, families, seniors and others.

"We're honored that the Palo Alto Weekly has acknowledged the important role trees play in creating healthy environments for kids and Canopy's deep commitment to our communities through tree planting and education programs," said Canopy Executive Director Catherine Martineau. 

 
Stanford selected Canopy and two other nonprofit groups for its 2012 Community Partnership Awards, for  "tackling real world problems and advancing the public good in neighboring cities." In each case, the award recipients facilitated collaboration and better understanding between Stanford and communities of the Mid-Peninsula.   

Read Stanford announcement.
Watch awards ceremony video.