Deforestation: An Urgent Problem July 7, 2021 - by Sammara Audi, Public Relations Intern Trees are a vital part of our environment, taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen to clear the atmosphere. They’re one of our main sources of oxygen and are essential for the survival of humans and wildlife. We get 16% of our overall oxygen from the trees and plants... read more »
Meet Sammara, our first Public Relations Intern June 24, 2021 - Hi, my name is Sammara Audi. Friends of the Urban Forest is starting its first Public Relations Internship and I have been offered the opportunity to be the first intern! I started becoming more aware of climate change and how important saving the environment is at around age 12. We were taught about the environment... read more »- Introducing our next executive director April 30, 2021 - From Dan’s Desk Good news for San Francisco’s urban forest: after an extensive search, Friends of the Urban Forest has hired Brian Wiedenmeier as our next executive director. He’ll start on June 8, which is when I’ll begin my long-awaited retirement. Members of the FUF community may already be familiar with Brian, because he’s currently... read more »
- 2021 Greener Block Award: Inner Richmond April 27, 2021 - The Inner Richmond neighborhood is the winner of the 2021 Brian Tsai Greener Block Award. Each year since 2013, FUF has recognized an area in San Francisco that has undergone the greatest “green” transformation during the past year. We evaluate candidates for the award on the basis of their progress in planting and maintaining street... read more »
- A history of our relationship with San Francisco Public Works April 19, 2021 - Forty years ago this year, the city of San Francisco cut the budget for the planting of street trees due to budget constraints. Five folks came together to start a non-profit to ensure that the city’s already meager urban tree canopy would continue to grow. Friends of the Urban Forest was born. One of the... read more »
- Building a thriving urban forest takes more than love February 12, 2021 - “Under the canopy of the trees, daily dramas and moving love stories are played out. Here is the last remaining piece of Nature, right on our doorstep.” ― Peter Wohlleben, The Hidden Life of Trees Like us, you may be enjoying the much-needed rainy season and noticing hints of spring, such as the fragrant... read more »
- Tell City Hall: we need more trees February 5, 2021 - “The best available technology for pulling carbon dioxide from the air is something called a tree.” ― Al Gore Sometimes the urban forest needs advocates — people who can “speak for the trees.” This is one of those times: the City is seeking public input on its Climate Action Plan. You and other friends of... read more »
- 5 Trees to Plant for Better Air in San Francisco January 29, 2021 - By Anna Wright One of the biggest benefits of trees is their ability to improve air quality. Urban forests are often called a city’s lungs because they produce oxygen, store carbon, and reduce particulate matter pollution. However, some trees are better at it than others! Urban trees improve local air quality by reducing particulate matter... read more »
- Dan Flanagan to step down; search for new FUF leader begins January 4, 2021 - Dan Flanagan, executive director of Friends of the Urban Forest since 2008, has announced plans to retire this spring. FUF’s board of directors has engaged an executive search firm to find the next successful executive director for the organization. Below, Dan shares thoughts about his decision to step down, and board chair Dawn Kamalanathan provides... read more »
- Healthy Soil November 29, 2020 - The key to a healthy garden (vegetable, habitat, or ornamental) is understanding your soil. Soil requirements can vary among different garden types, but there are a few tried and true tips for building healthy soils. Test your soil Although it’s not required, knowing the primary nutrient levels and pH (scale of acidity) of your soil... read more »