Legacy Celebration
5th Annual Legacy Celebration
November 2, 2025
Every fall, Tree Davis invites folks from across the region to reflect upon the goodness that comes from communities and trees. The trees that we sit under now were planted with great effort by previous generations, so its essential that we acknowledge those efforts and celebrate those that are planting and stewarding our future forests today. This year, we honored eight wonderful groups and individuals.
David Robinson – Community Tree Hero Award
Since joining the Davis Street Tree Commission in 1986, David has spent nearly four decades nurturing our urban forest. A dedicated volunteer and former Tree Davis board president, he led projects such as the Memorial Grove sculpture, Downtown Tree Walk, and ArtisTree. Through tireless, solo efforts, he maintained the Highway 113 Adopt-A-Highway site for years. He continues to plant trees and volunteers with the UC Davis Arboretum and Central Park Gardens.
Dr. Alison Berry – Outstanding Research & Teaching Award
Dr. Alison M. Berry is a renowned plant biologist and early leader in applying plant science to urban challenges. She is professor emerita in the Department of Plant Sciences at UC Davis (1984 to 2016). Her research on plant–microbe interactions advanced understanding of nitrogen fixation and symbiosis. Dr. Berry helped pioneer the concept of “climate-ready trees”, and heavily influenced urban-tree research and best practices in arboriculture. Through decades of teaching, mentorship, and leadership, Dr. Berry has left a lasting impact on plant science and urban forestry.
John Mott Smith – Acorn Award
John Mott-Smith’s love of trees began as a way to spend meaningful weekends with his children. He found joy in planting trees and soon began collecting acorns along Putah Creek, raising over 100 oak seedlings. A true grassroots advocate, John knew that growing a strong nonprofit, like a mighty oak, requires deep roots. With other visionaries, he helped launch Tree Davis, laying the foundation for the impactful organization whose work continues today.
Tom Lengtat – Individual Stewardship Award
Growing up in rural Northern California, Tom developed a lifelong connection to nature that fuels his care for the Sandy Motley greenbelt, which he has stewarded for 26 years. He plants, prunes, and protects trees, and has expanded his efforts to manage invasive plants and foxtails. A familiar and valued presence, Tom is motivated by neighborly gratitude and the shared goal of creating a greener, more welcoming space for people and wildlife.
Gayna Lamb-Bang – Individual Stewardship Award
After retiring in 2015, Gayna began tending a weedy 1/10-acre lot in South Davis she passed on her neighborhood walks. She adopted the space through the City of Davis, planted native species by hand, and maintained them through the summer. Her efforts transformed the overlooked corner into a vibrant, pollinator-friendly garden. Her efforts show how one person’s hard work and dedication can revitalize an urban space for all to enjoy.
Hermanas Unidas de UCD – Community Group Stewardship Award
Hermanas Unidas de UCD is a student organization supporting predominantly Latina students through leadership, service, and professional development. Committed to community service, they began partnering with Tree Davis to give back to the town they call home. Their involvement deepened their civic responsibility and reflects a shared dedication to environmental stewardship and community growth. Working with Tree Davis has helped members see and appreciate the Davis community in a new light..
Davis Manor Neighborhood – Community Spirit Award
Since 1998, the Davis Manor Neighborhood Council and its Creative Action Team (CATs) have led environmentally focused projects to enhance community resilience. In partnership with Tree Davis and the City, they’ve created the “Naturehood” street mural, renovated the N Street Mini Park, launched the “Happy Green Streets” initiative for rainwater management, and formed a Street Tree Team. Their work reflects a strong commitment to sustainability and serves as a model for community-led environmental action.
Woodland Tree Foundation – Community Group Stewardship Award
Founded in 2000 by local volunteers inspired by other tree nonprofits, the Woodland Tree Foundation set out to plant shade trees in underserved neighborhoods. With no paid staff, the all-volunteer group has planted nearly 7,000 trees across Woodland, enhancing the city’s livability and honoring its “City of Trees” legacy. Founding board member David Wilkinson played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s vision and lasting impact. Their work shows the power of community-driven action in creating enduring environmental benefits.
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsor!
2024 Stewardship Award Honorees
For decades, in their roles as Superintendent and Director of Horticulture, Warren and Ellen worked to shape the direction of the UC Davis Arboretum, helping to lay the foundation for what has become a living laboratory, grand open space, and one of the most popular destinations in the region. From the Arboretum All-Stars to the Walks with Warren, and myriad other forms of outreach, they set the tone and expanded the reach of the arboretum as a resource for our whole region. At this year’s Legacy Celebration, they will be awarded as co-recipients of a Lifetime Achievement Award for Tree Stewardship, Education, and Horticultural Enthusiasm.
The Friends of the North Davis Channel (FNDC) formed in 2019 to ensure that previous investments from Putah Creek Council and the Yolo Resource Conservation District stayed vibrant. The channel is intended as a stormwater conveyance, but without the love and attention, would be filled with invasive species. Since forming, the FDNC has planted over 100 Climate-Ready Trees, as well as hundreds of native shurbs and plants. The members of FDNC have invested several hundred hours and financial donations to ensure its success. As stated by their nominator: “It is for that extraordinary commitment to maintaining and enhancing the tree canopy in the Ditch and native plant restoration there, that I proudly nominate FDNC for consideration as this year’s Tree Davis Stewardship Award.”
Janet is a true community hero. She has worked since 2009 to plant and ensure survival of nearly 400 native trees (oaks, sycamores and buckeyes) along Russll Boulevard, between Cactus Corner and Road 95A. She planted them as acorns and small seedlings, and now commuters and bicyclists travelling between Davis and Winters are able to bask in the robust shade that she created. To this day, Janet spends countless hours watering and pruning her green legacy.
The Friends of the North Davis Channel (FNDC) formed in 2019 to ensure that previous investments from Putah Creek Council and the Yolo Resource Conservation District stayed vibrant. The channel is intended as a stormwater conveyance, but without the love and attention, would be filled with invasive species. Since forming, the FDNC has planted over 100 Climate-Ready Trees, as well as hundreds of native shurbs and plants. The members of FDNC have invested several hundred hours and financial donations to ensure its success. As stated by their nominator: “It is for that extraordinary commitment to maintaining and enhancing the tree canopy in the Ditch and native plant restoration there, that I proudly nominate FDNC for consideration as this year’s Tree Davis Stewardship Award.”
