Episodes
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Celine Colbert is Pennsylvania’s Tree Canopy Coordinator,dedicated to enhancing urban forestry and promoting sustainable tree management across the state. As a Board Certified Master Arborist with a background in forestry, Celine collaborates with local governments, organizations, and communities to implement effective tree planting and maintenance programs offering technical assistance, grant matchmaking, and tools such as the DCNR (Departmentof Conservation and Natural Resources) TreeKeeper.
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Jessica (J.J.) Käthe is the resiliency planting coordinator within the Climate Forestry & Carbon Unit at NYSDEC (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation).
J.J. is seeking input from agencies and organizations across the state for the New York State Reforestation Plan. The plan will act as a roadmap to achieving the Climate Act Scoping Plan goal of establishing 1.7 million acres of new forestby 2040.
She has experience working with invasive species management, greenhouse operations, volunteer coordination, data processing, and emergency preparedness from work in non-profit organizations in the private sector, and at the Department of Environmental Conservation.
J.J. holds BA and MS degrees in Geography from the (State University of New York System) SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Albany.
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Tim Johnson is the Chief Executive Officer at the Native Plant Trust in Framingham, Massachusetts. He leads the organization’s 45-acre Garden in the Woods in Framingham,Massachusetts; the Nasami Farm, a native plant nursery in Whately, Massachusetts; and the expanded seed-processing and storage facilities to support the new Northeast Seed Network. The Network is a regional initiative led by the Native Plant Trust to create a sustainable source of seed to meet the increased demand for native plants.
Johnson has an extensive background in environmentalhorticulture and biological science from his long-standing career in conservation and botanic garden administration and leadership at Smith College.
Johnson’s affection for native plants was born from achildhood spent exploring the great outdoors in Wisconsin. His appreciation for the importance of protecting the rarest of plants is from his graduate studies working with threatened orchids on the Florida Panther National WildlifeRefuge.
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Dr. Anna Paltseva is a distinguished urban soil scientist and educator, currently serving as a professor in the Department of Agronomy at Purdue University. Sheearned her Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the CUNY Graduate Center. Dr. Paltseva’s research focuses on urban soil contamination, particularly heavy metal pollution, and its impact on urban agriculture,ecosystem health, and public well-being. Utilizing advanced technologies, such as portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF), she works on innovative soil remediation strategies in urban environments.
Beyond her academic work, Dr. Paltseva is a prolific speaker, author of multiple peer-reviewed papers, and the founder of House of Soil, an initiative that connects soil science with regenerative fashion. She is also deeply involved in outreach and community engagement,promoting environmental education and sustainable land practices. As the author of the Urban Soil Guide, Dr. Paltseva provides practical advice for soil testing and management in urban settings.
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Carlos Alvarez has been a part of the PowerCorpsPHL (Power Corps Philadelphia) team since March 2015 when he started as a crew leader supporting a group of young people completing various environmental sustainabilityprojects in the City of Philadelphia. Since then, he has held many roles mainly focusing on developing the programs technical skills training. He enjoys working with program members onsite and taking advantage of every learning opportunity that presents itself during the various projects they are assigned.
Currently, Carlos is the Director of Social Enterprise Operations overseeing the installment and operation of the Philadelphia Reforestation Hub-Urban WoodSawmill, a private and non-profit partnership with PPR (Philadelphia Parks and Recreation) and Cambium Carbon designed to support the city’s goal to lower wood waste, improve its tree canopy cover, and meet their workforce development goals. The Reforestation Hub provides advanced training for PowerCorpsPHL members in Sawmill Operation and related fields in tree care.Carlos is working towards becoming a certified arborist and remaining an active member of the arboriculture community.
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Dan Lambe has committed nearly two decades of work to help solve some of the biggest issues facing people and the planet through trees. After being named CEO in 2022 after 19 years in leadership roles at the Arbor Day Foundation, Lambe launched an initiative to accelerate the nonprofit’s impact by planting 500 million trees with a focus on forests and neighborhoods with the greatestneed. The ambitious goal, set to replicate the number of trees planted in the Foundation’s first 50 years in only five years, has helped spur remarkable growth within the organization and expanded the Foundation’s global reach.Lambe’s leadership is rooted in three guiding principles, including supporting a quality team, bringing an increased focus to planting trees, and instilling a belief that the Foundation’s work can make a lasting difference.
Lambe is a trusted thought leader in the sustainable forestry space, and he regularly speaks at conferences hosted by the United Nations, Sustainable Brands, theU.S. Chamber of Commerce and other high-profile industry events where trees and climate intersect. Lambe is also frequently used as a resource for top newsoutlets and has been featured on The Weather Channel, CNN, The Washington Post, Associated Press, TIME, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and NPR. Lambe is the author of the book Now is the Time For Trees and even helpedset a Guinness World Record for the most people watering plants simultaneously.
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Matthew Aghai is a climate tech executive with 20 years of professional experience spanning public, private, and academic ventures in reforestation and natural resourcemanagement across the globe.
He currently serves the teams at Mast Reforestation and its subsidiaries but also enjoys a variety of extracurricular functions including advising and speaking on environmental and sustainability topics, nature-based and technological solutions for greenhouse gases (GHG) mitigation, and opportunities to develop durable economic pathways for stewards and skilled workers in the fight against climate change.
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Jessica Turner-Skoff is Longwood Garden's first Associate Director of Science Communications. She champions Longwood’s leadership in plant science and interprets Longwood’s scientific resources for multiple communication channels and audiences. Jessicais an internationally recognized, award-winning science communicator who is professionally trained as a conservation biologist. She came to Longwood after making significant contributions in science communications at The Morton Arboretum, serving as a Botany in Action Fellow for three years at PhippsConservatory, and teaching science communication at collegiate and professional levels.
Jessica holds a Ph.D. in Biology from West Virginia University, an MS in Conservation Science andSustainable Development from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a BS from Muskingum University. She is an Editorial Advisor for the JournalPlants, People, Planet. She was the 2020 Emerging Horticulture Professional from the American Horticultural Society, as well as a Chanticleer Scholar in 2022.
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Annaliese Bischoff is a Western Massachusetts artist and landscape architect. For the past decade, she has been collecting drawings and etchings of trees by Frank A. Waugh, founder of the Landscape Gardening Program at what is today the University of Massachusetts Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning.
Annaliese received a bachelor’s degree in art from Brown University and a master’s degree in landscape architecture from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. She began her academic career at Kansas State University, where Waugh had studied a century earlier. She taught for forty years at the University of Massachusetts department that Waughfounded.
Annaliese has received numerous awards and honors for her design and research work, including a Fulbright senior research award. Before her academic career, she worked propagating trees at a nursery in Rhode Island and for the U.S.D.A. Forest Service in South Carolina. The author of The Man Who Loved Trees (2024), she currently serves on the Frank A. Waugh Arboretum Committee at UMass Amherst, home to 8000 trees on campus, and teaches an honors discovery seminar on trees.
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Marshall Green is a fourth-generation owner and the dedicated nursery manager at Primex Garden Center in Glenside, Pennsylvania. After growing up around Primex,Marshall attended New England Culinary Institute and pursued a career as a chef in Philadelphia. In 2014 Marshall came home to Primex where he settled in asthe woody plants buyer and nursery manager. As the woody plants buyer, Marshall is well attuned to current plant trends and is always looking for the next ‘it’plant. You can easily spot him in the nursery, typically donning a wide-brimmed straw hat, eager to help and share his extensive knowledge.
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Patricia Gallagher is Professor Emerita of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering at Drexel University. She earned bachelor’s degrees in civilengineering and geological sciences from Rutgers University, a master’s in civil engineering from Ohio State University, and a Ph.D. in civil engineering from Virginia Tech. Her research expertise centers on geotechnical andgeoenvironmental engineering and sustainability.
At Drexel, Trish taught courses in civil and environmental engineering, geology, and sustainability. Her course in sustainability, titled “Incorporating Sustainability Principles in Design” was inspired by her desire to teach design from a holistic, regenerative perspective that restores ecological balance and health in communities and ecosystems. The course explores how the concept of sustainability is fundamental to the planning, design, construction, operation, and renewal of resilient and sustainable infrastructure.
Trish believes we need to work in our own communities to restore functional ecosystems in urban and suburban areas. She began volunteering with the AbingtonTownship Shade Tree Commission (STC) in 2019, became an acting commissioner in 2021 and was officially appointed to the STC in 2022. Currently, she co-chairsthe STC. Trish is happiest in nature and spends her free time hiking and backpacking around the globe.
Since 2011 John Kennedy has been volunteering with the Abington Township Shade Tree Commission (STC) as an appointed commissioner and currently serves as co-chair.He has been an active Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Tree Tender since 2008.John regularly takes on a leadership role in formulating and delivering STC programs. His volunteer emphasis has been on park and public space tree planting with the Tree Vitalize - PHS Tree Tenders bare root tree program. Leading community volunteers to plant over 300 trees in parks and other public spaces in Abington Township.
John’s commitment to the treescapes around us has inspired him to educate others on the importance of trees in our environment. Conducting hands-on training through demonstration and coaching on how to plant, prune, and care for trees.
While employed full-time in the food service profession, John returned to school in 2006 as a part-time student to study horticulture. In 2015, he completed his degree at Temple University’s School of Environmental Design in Ambler, Pennsylvania.
He also holds a Certificate in Horticultural Therapy.
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Khomchalat Thongting (Kom) is a visionary entrepreneur hailing from a working-class background, who has dedicated 29 years to building a thriving computer and IT consulting business with a team of 45 professionals.
With a passion for sustainability and a drive for global impact, Kom has expanded his horizons by delving into the bamboo industry, cultivating 95 acres of bamboo and intercrops while conducting valuable seminars and workshops for local communities. KOM’s recognizedexpertise includes International Biochar Initiative (IBI) and carbon management skills, making him a true leader in both business and environmental stewardship. He is the co-founder of the Wongphai Company, Limited.
Saranrat Tanthiptham (Nui) is a versatile entrepreneur with a profound commitment to sustainability. Nui started her journey by excelling academically, graduating in Business Administration and Marketing from Bangkok University.
Climbing the corporate ladder, she achieved remarkable success at Aderans. Later, she co-founded a thrivingcomputer hardware venture, serving prestigious clients like universities and embassies.
Nui's recent endeavors reflect her dedication to sustainability, including the co-founding of Wongphai Company, Limited, focused on eco-friendlyinitiatives and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles for sustainable income generation. Nui’s expertise is well-recognized through certifications like the IBI (International Biochar Institute), C-sink Manager,and Measuring Sustainable Development.
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Ben Shardlow is the Board Chair for the Creative Enterprise Zone, a place-based non-profit organization dedicated to attracting and supporting creative people and businesses in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
As an urban planner and designer focused on complex public spaces, Ben has worked on developing innovative programs to grow the urban tree canopy in challenging sites for over a decade. In the largely-industrial CreativeEnterprise Zone, Ben launched the 100 Trees Initiative, a slow and steady approach to planting and caring for trees that seeks a sweet spot between the scale of operation – a small non-profit can manage and the long-term impact.
Ben's day job is the Chief of Staff for the Minneapolis Downtown Council & Downtown Improvement District, where he has worked since 2012 addressing the root causes of a variety of publicspace challenges, including urban forestry.
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Basil Camu loves trees. And soil, wildflowers, insects, bats, fungi - basically everything to do with terrestrial ecosystems. He is fully committed to caring for this beautiful planet. He is a Treecologist, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, Duke University graduate, and Wizard of Things at Leaf & Limb. Though trees are his passion and profession, he also loves tending to the native flowers in his garden, growing Piedmont Prairies, and propagating plants from seed. Some of Basil's favorite pastimes are hanging out with his wife and sons, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, powerlifting, hiking, and sprinting. His next favorite things in life are reading, garlic, traveling adventures, blazing hot peppers, pickles, and food from Lucettegrace indowntown Raleigh.
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Sandy and Julia Shettler are a mother-daughter team with Tree Action Seattle, which advocates for Seattle's trees at the neighborhood level and at City Hall.
Sandy is a medical social worker with a background in public health. She focuses on the physical and mental health benefits of living near trees, and the need to bring these benefits to deforested and underserved urban communities. Julia is an electrical engineer by training and works in climate tech. She is deeply interested in preserving the natural environment as a common-sense solution to climate change.
Tree Action Seattle is a collective effort that was sparked by the City of Seattle’s July 2023 approval of the cutting of a large western red cedar. Nicknamed “Luma”, the Snoqualmie Tribe identified the tree as historic and culturally modified. This singular tree illuminated glaring flaws in Seattle’s tree code.
Activists nicknamed “Droplet” sat in Luma’s branches and did not leave until the property owner chose to protect Luma. The community that coalesced around Luma’s protection catalyzed a movement focused on transparency, accountability, and sound urban forest policy.
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Erica Kratofil is Co-Executive Director for The Giving Grove, where she helps lead a national network of urban community orchard and food forest programs. As asocial worker, Erica is passionate about community vitality and the many ways that urban orchards benefit both people and the planet.
Erica is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and has a master’s in social work and nonprofit management from Washington University in St. Louis. She has worked previously in education, food security initiatives, and community-based housing programs. She also served as a social work field instructor for the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
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Amy Stewart is the New York Times best-selling author of The Drunken Botanist, Wicked Plants, and several other popular nonfiction titles about the natural world. She’s also written several novels in her beloved Kopp Sisters series, based on the story of one of America’s first female deputy sheriffs and her two rambunctious sisters.
Her books have sold over a million copies worldwide and have been translated into 18 languages.
She lives in Portland with her husband Scott Brown, a rare book dealer who can usually be found at his shop, Downtown Brown Books.
You might’ve heard Amy on NPR’s Morning Edition or Fresh Air or seen her profiled in the New York Times. Hercheckered television career includes CBS Sunday Morning, Good Morning America, the PBS documentary The Botany of Desire, and–believe it or not– TLC’s CakeBoss. (The cake was delicious.)
Amy’s 2009 book Wicked Plants was adapted into a national traveling exhibit that terrified children at science museums nationwide for over a decade. Even better, a few bars around the world are named after The Drunken Botanist.
It’s an honor just to be nominated, but it’s even better to win, and she’s won a National Endowment for the Artsfellowship, the American Horticulture Society’s Book Award, and the International Association of Culinary Professionals Food Writing Award.
Amy travels the country as a highly sought-after public speaker whose spirited lectures have inspired andentertained audiences at college campuses such as Cornell and Harvard, corporate offices like Google (where she served tequila and nearly broke the Internet),conferences and book festivals, botanical gardens, bookstores, and librariesnationwide.
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Dr. Glynn Percival is the Senior Arboricultural Researcher at the Bartlett Tree Research and Diagnostic Laboratory. Dr. Percival primarily focuses on how environmentalstress (drought, heat, and waterlogging) influences tree growth and susceptibility to pest and disease attacks. He is the author of more than 100 scientific papers, magazine articles, and book chapters, and is an honorary lecturer at the University Reading and the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew in the UK.
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Cyrus Copeland, a writer and nonprofit pioneer, planted his first tree as a tribute to his father—a red oak on the grounds of Valley Forge. Year after year he returned to the tree. But it wasn’t until Cyrus traveled to the West Bank and witnessed the deep relationship between Palestinians and their olive trees that an idea sparked: Could planting trees bring prosperity and balance to a high-conflictregion? Collaborating with the Palestinian Farmers Union, he launched Treedom for Palestine, harnessing the power of the olive tree as a catalyst for change.
Copeland’s dedication to civic engagement stems from his parents, educators from Iran and America, whoinstilled in him the value of fostering understanding among diverse communities.
Cyrus began a decade-long career on Madison Avenue developing strategies for clients like Kodak, Chrysler, and Chase, but found his true calling as a writer and socialchange advocate. His most recent book, OFF THE RADAR (Penguin/Blue Rider), won him the Chautauqua Prize, and his writings have been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Slate, NPR, and BBC.
Beyond his literary achievements, Cyrus is also a sought-after speaker and has delivered talks at conferences and cultural events worldwide.
Cyrus is an alum of Haverford College, Villanova, and Cornell University.
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Dr. Christine Carmichael is the award-winning founder and principal of Fair Forests Consulting, LLC, which she began in July 2019. She is also the best-selling author of Racist Roots: How Racism Has Affected Trees and People in Our Cities—and What We Can Do About It.
She holds a Ph.D. in Forestry with a specialization in Gender, Justice, and Environmental Change and holds a Graduate Certificate in Community Engagement from Michigan State University. Dr. Carmichael has published research explaining why 25% of Detroit residents eligible to receive a free street tree between 2011-2014 chose to decline this offer. Since its inception, Fair Forests Consulting, LLC has partnered with several U.S. cities and urban forestry organizations to develop strategies to achieve environmental justice goals through urban treeplanting, stewardship, and community engagement.
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