Trees, Art, Sam Francis and TreePeople

It’s beautiful to see how nature helps pave the paths of those who inspire our lives.

TreePeople’s Founder and President Andy Lipkis was a forward-thinking youth who began an environmental nonprofit at the age of 17 after being inspired by the dying trees in the Angeles National Forest. Similarly, Sam Francis, one of California’s most influential abstract expressionist painters with art hanging in LA museums like the Broad and the Norton Simon Museum, also drew inspiration from nature in forests, lakes, rivers and the ocean while living around the San Francisco Bay Area.… Read more >>

TreePeople’s Most Wanted: Home Edition

California’s native plants are under attack.

From our mountain habitats all the way down to our very backyard, invasive plant species are taking over. According to the U.S. Government, an invasive species is one that is non-native to the ecosystem and one whose introduction causes or will likely cause economic, environmental or human-health harm.

Invasive plants can often outcompete our natives because they don’t have the checks and balances they would have in their native land. Often this freedom leads them to grow faster and spread faster than the native plants they are replacing.… Read more >>

5 Ways to Be Cool This Summer – The TreePeople Way!

The hot, dry days of summer are here!

As much as an air-conditioned building may seem like a great escape, there are some other ways to stay cool that are not only good for you and the environment but can also help you be cool – the TreePeople way.

#1  Spend Some Time Under the Shade of Trees

Throw down a yoga mat, blanket, or hang a hammock to enjoy the canopy of shade provided by trees. This is not only a great way to stay cool, but healthy too!… Read more >>

Make Your Voices Heard: Urban Forest…Stand Up for Trees

Did you know that you actually live in an urban forest? 

An urban forest is made up of a network of publicly and privately-owned trees and forests in and around cities. At its core, the urban forest connects, nourishes and optimizes the health and functionality of the city and those who dwell in it.

Unfortunately, LA’s urban forest is often seen by some as merely street trees or parks that simply add beauty. Therefore, the real value of the urban forest is not fully recognized so it does not receive enough funding, protections, or maintenance it needs to thrive and protect the lives and health of all Angelenos.… Read more >>

These Heat Waves Kill

They say some like it hot, but as the first significant heat wave of the season hits this week, many Angelenos will wish it was winter.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year extreme heat causes more deaths in the United States than all other weather-related causes combined. In LA, the average five-day heat wave results in 4.1% more deaths than cooler weather on the first day, and 11.9% more on the fifth day.

Realistically, the coming heat event will result in some Angelenos going to the emergency room…and others dying at home.… Read more >>

A Wildfire Safety Guide

The increasing threat of wildfire is Southern California’s new climate reality and it’s impossible to ignore.

Hotter summers and drier winters lead to more events like the 2017 Thomas fire – the largest wildfire in California history that wreaked havoc well outside the range of what used to be fire season.

With this season’s rain totals being over 65% below normal, the fire outlook for the rest of 2018 is looking increasingly dire.

In times like these, it is imperative that residents who live in fire-prone areas stay prepared.… Read more >>

The 4 D’s: Dead, Diseased, Damaged, or Deranged!

Dead, diseased, damaged, or deranged – think this is not the description of a horror film character? Guess again!

At TreePeople, and in the field of arboriculture, they are known as the 4 D’s. It is the simple way to remember what to prune out of a tree to help ensure it is happy and healthy!

To Prune or Not to Prune

More often than not, trees are over-pruned. Unfortunately, most people believe that a tree must be pruned every year – like getting a haircut.… Read more >>

Let Me Tell You About the Data and the Trees

4,700 volunteers at 231 forestry events…236,839 students touched by campus projects…more than 700 volunteers caring for our park…1,981 trees planted and more than 9,500 plants nurtured…

There is a lot going on at TreePeople, to say the least. And that means a lot to track and plan so that we can handle it all – with success!

Trees Count on Us, so We Count Our Work

When most people think of nature, they tend not to think of a database. Data, however, is an integral part of all our work.… Read more >>

Environmental Learning Takes Root at Vena Ave. Elementary

Take a minute to think about your average school playground here in LA.

Chances are what you’re envisioning more closely resembles a long-forgotten parking lot  – a barren, treeless expanse of cracked blacktop that fades into a mirage as the sun beats down upon it. This is a far cry from a welcoming and hospitable environment for children to learn.

It doesn’t need to be like this.

Study after study has shown the importance of nature and green spaces in the lives of children – from improving memory and cognition, increasing attention span and lowering aggressive behavior, to protecting their developing bodies from harmful pollutants.… Read more >>

Time to Plan, Not to Plant!

Are you thinking about finally getting around to replacing that brown lawn in your front yard?  

Thinking of taking advantage of LADWP’s Cash for Grass rebate?  

Envious of your neighbor that already has a climate-ready garden?

Well, take a breath… the hot, rainless months of summer are coming, and they are not the best time to plant. Instead, it is a great time to plan the garden you’ve always dreamed of!

Do Your Homework

Before you start designing your garden, follow these four steps to get to know your landscape a little better:

  1. Determine your climate zone.
… Read more >>