Legacy Celebration
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. It is a fun and festive event held in the serene Tree Davis Memorial Grove. On November 2, 2024, we held the fourth annual Legacy Celebration and presented five categories of Stewardship Awards for remarkable individuals and groups.
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.
A talented group of people that came together to care for the space alongside Putah Creek south of the railroad tracks. Long after a multi-party grant was completed to make the space what it was. This group, including Jean Wiltzman, Gary Ford, Robert Weidenfield, Donna Moyer, Dawn Adams, and Julia Moore (not pictured), comes together regularly to steward this space to ensure it stays vibrant and conitnues to offer the multitudes of benefits that enrich Davis.
The Village Homes Tree Committee has worked diligently to take inventory of trees in their community and work with the City of Davis and Tree Davis to advocate for continued plans in order to help ease the loss of their aging canopy. They have actively worked with the Village Homes community to spread awareness of the urban forestry and get neighbors involved in planting efforts. For us they serve as a great model for how neighbors can work together to ensure that their community stays bright.
Previous Stewardship Award Honorees
2023
Community Advocate – Alan Hirsh (top left)
Community Volunteer – Dave Beale (bottom right)
Community Action Group – Denali Drive, represented by Holly Moen & Cindy Nelson (center right)
Urban Forestry Professional – John Lichter (bottom left)
Remarkable Tree Grove – Cranbrook Apartments, represented by Eric Roe and John Whitcombe (upper right)
2022
Outstanding Individual Stewards – Ann Trump Daniel and Judy Hecomovich (center)
Outstanding Individual Leading a Transformation – Ken McKim, Tree Harper (upper right)
Outstanding Street Tree Shade – Maple Lane, represented by Gerald Dickinson (upper left)
Best Parking Lot Shade – 1205 Drake Drive, represented by Dr. David Jolkovsky – bottom left)
2021
Outstanding Individual Steward – David Thompson upper left)
Research and Application Award – Bruce De Terra (upper right)
Outstanding Group Stewardship – Friends of West Pond (bottom)
Sponsor the Legacy Celebration
Tree Davis is seeking underwriting support for the Legacy Celebration. If you are interested in being a sponsor for the event, please contact Torin Dunnavant (torin@treedavis.org, 310-717-1831).