TreePeople

TreePeople is an environmental nonprofit that unites the power of trees, people and nature-based solutions to grow a sustainable future for Los Angeles. Simply put, its work is about helping nature heal our cities.

Its mission is to inspire, engage and support people to take personal responsibility for the urban environment, making it safe, healthy, fun and sustainable and to share the process as a model for the world. 

TreePeople's early efforts in the 1970s focused on educating and inspiring people to plant and care for trees. More trees means cooler temperatures, cleaner air, replenished groundwater supplies and a safer, more beautiful city. 

Expanding the tree canopy over L.A. remains one of TreePeople's central goals. But the worsening impacts of global warming and the looming threat of water shortages have led the organization to do more. 

TreePeople is seeking and finding nature-based solutions that re-create the functions of a healthy forest in an urban setting. Examples include permeable paving, French drains, swales, rain barrels, cisterns and other relatively simple "forest-mimicking" solutions. 

TreePeople is helping communities to put these solutions into action alongside healthy, well-cared for trees to create a Functioning Community Forest in every L.A. neighborhood.

For an interview with Cindy Montanez, Tree People's chief executive officer, click here.

Selected Awards:
Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Award
Los Angeles Business Journal, 2012

Air Award for Public Education on Air Quality Issues
South Coast Air Quality Management District, 2011

Community Fund
Boeing Employees Community Fund, 2008