Written by: Carmen L.A. at Woodside Library
Are you passionate about trees, urban gardening and climate justice? To learn how important our tree canopy is to a warming climate, San Mateo County Libraries will partner with the urban forestry advocates Canopy, opens a new window to host tree walks, bilingual gardening workshops, listening sessions, as well as climate justice presentations at several libraries. Canopy is a local non-profit whose mission is to grow the urban tree canopy in the Mid-Peninsula for the benefit of all. Through a generous grant from the California State Library, opens a new window, they will be bringing their climate justice expertise to connect library patrons with environmental education and bring them outside to learn about trees, gardening and climate action.
Learn more about Sustainable California Libraries, opens a new window.
Tree Walks
Join a certified arborist on one of our tree walks in North Fair Oaks and East Palo Alto! We'll be taking short walks around the neighborhoods to discuss community health and environmental awareness. Our first tree walk will be this fall and will continue through the spring.
Climate Justice Presentations
We are excited for our first Climate Justice presentation with Jean-Paul Renaud, Executive Director of Canopy on October 26 at Portola Valley Library. We will be discussing the importance of environmental justice and equity. A second presentation will be hosted at the Atherton Library on January 18, 2025.
Listening Sessions
Canopy will be facilitating two listening sessions this upcoming spring at the East Palo Alto and Millbrae libraries. These spaces will provide platforms for community members to share their input around environmental issues and concerns. Check back soon for specific dates and times!
Bilingual Gardening Workshops
We are excited to offer various bilingual gardening workshops surrounding tree planting, care and maintenance at our East Palo Alto, Millbrae and North Fair Oaks libraries taking place this fall through spring 2025. We hope to inspire a new generation of urban gardeners and arborists to grow their home tree canopies. Check back soon for specific dates and times!
Read more about the work Canopy, opens a new window is doing with tree walks and environmental justice outside of San Mateo County. Let us know what kind of environmental topics you’d like to see more of by leaving a comment below.
Check out These Titles
If you can’t wait for our next tree walks or climate presentations, check out these titles below specially curated by Canopy and our librarians. We hope you enjoy this booklist!
A journey of one man’s quest to save the best specimens of U.S. trees to ensure their survival.
The Big Burn fire of 1910 covered nearly 3.2 million acres across Washington, Idaho and Montana. Read about this important moment in U.S. forest conservation history.
Originally published in 1986, and then updated in 2005, this book covers the major role forests have played in the ancient and modern civilization. Listed as one of Harvard's “One Hundred Great Books."
An interesting history of trees in California, both domestic and native.
Read about the natural history of native California plants with wonderful photography and short narrative descriptions.
Featuring watercolor maps and trail paintings, this guide will have you wanting to go outside to experience the full biodiversity of California.
A Californian's Guide to the Trees Among Us
This expanded and updated edition introduces readers to 160 of California’s most commonly grown urban trees.
Who can and who cannot have access to natural spaces? This book examples how the legacy of slavery, Jim Crow and racial segregation have contributed to African Americans being underrepresented in areas of environmentalism, outdoor recreation and interests in nature.
The Comic Book Guide to Growing Food
If you’re a visual learner and wanting to learn how to start your first garden, check out this fully illustrated guide on how to find the best location in your garden, care for plants and then what to do when you’ve grown too much!
Do you have a tiny balcony or yard and not sure how to garden? A great guide for renters not looking to spend too much time, but still enjoy the fruits of their garden oasis labor.
This program is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
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