I was invited to share information about an upcoming Openlands Spanish TreeKeepers’ Course at the 18th Street Casa de Cultura (2057 W 18th St) ChiVes Open House, answer questions, and talked about what I love most about being a TreeKeeper. I am by no means an expert or ISA certified, but I do know enough to be able to help communities navigate better towards healthier green spaces.

Being ok with not having all the answers, and being excited about questions might be what motivates me the most. It’s so gratifying to influence others with my passion and share learnings. The two hours flew by so fast because this was an open conversation near and dear to my heart. My eyes lit up when a couple people approached me because they saw me speak at another event at El Paseo Community Garden a couple years back and I love that I made a lasting impact on others.

Sometimes I think about what my life would be like if I had pursued an education in arboriculture or green urban planning. If I had chosen biology or sociology and not computer programming. I do a lot of daydreaming, visioning, and reflecting in my spare time during my commute, stuck in traffic, or simply appreciating the landscape around me. What matters to me right now is finding more ways to show up to social gatherings and not just being a one time presenter. Being able to communicate in more ways than one and thinking creatively makes an even better experience for both myself and anyone learning new information. While being a volunteer can often be secondary over my full-time job, it is important for me to carve the time, to allow myself to feel valued, and be open to support from others.

Like a child who still exudes wonder, I feel connected and engaged when I prioritize the volunteer work I do as a TreeKeeper. It grounds me because people matter to me and that is why I do what I do. It’s not about just planting trees, or the tools, certifications, and technology alone. It’s about the public interest and the intersectionality of everything tied to our ecosystem. Nothing is linear nor is it siloed from each other. It is a web of connected dots exploring the endless changes occurring in our planet.

Being an Openlands TreeKeeper is many things, but I like to think of it as a gift that keeps on giving. It’s a service you can provide to your communities and a valuable contribution to society. If you or someone you know is interested or curious about being a TreeKeeper, you can find more information online or find me at my next public event.