Our People
Our Staff

Yael Franco
Executive Director

Megan Thomits
Program Manager

Hope Sumandea
Urban Forestry Technician

Angel Averno
Urban Forestry Specialist

Alexander Liesegang
Urban Forestry Specialist

Guenever Hall
Urban Forestry Specialist
Our Board
Board Members
Bob Poppenga, Co-President, Ph.D., DVM, Vice President, Professor, UC Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine
Don Shor, Co-President, Owner, Redwood Barn Nursery Inc.
Anya McCann, Secretary, Environmentalist and Community Organizer
Andrew Newman, Treasurer, Certified Public Accountant
Chuck Belk, Sr. Manager – State of California – Dept. of Community Services & Development
Ann Daniel, Community Volunteer
Larry Guenther, Community Volunteer
Carol Hillhouse, UC Davis Student Farm Associate Director Emeritus
Garth Lindley, Fundraiser for The Nature Conservancy
Frances McChesney, Environmental Attorney (Retired)
Melody Meyer, Ph.D., Senior Manager of Clean Stock & Plant Health, Driscoll’s
William Schoen, Community Volunteer
Luke Vitanza, Operations Manager, Two Enlighten
Emeritus Board Members
David B. Robinson, Owner, Aspen Pest Management
Emily Griswold, Director of GATEways Horticulture and Teaching Gardens, UC Davis
Jacques Franco, Environmental Scientist (Retired)
Lois Wolk, Founder, Former State Senator – District 3, Former Davis Mayor