About

Greetings from the President:

Tree Partners Foundation was founded in August 2004 to protect, enhance and maintain the urban forests in our cities and our great valley. Our foundation is about partnerships with cities, utilities, schools, churches, organizations and individuals, young people seeking direction from youth offenders to eagle Scouts, as well as the youngest, giving us purposes to the elders, giving us wisdom.

There is an African proverb that says, in part. . . “It takes a whole village to raise a child. Tree Partners is grateful to the “village” that has, and contributes to our journey. The Tree Partners Foundation attributes its success to our village partners.

At its foundation is: Warden Paul Schultz, former warden at U.S.P. Atwater, who believed that one day a nursery would be able to offer vocational training and levels of certification to minimum security inmates; Glen Flamik and Darla Mills who have guided the progress toward being able to grow trees to California Department of Forestry standards and Elizabeth Hoskins, formerly of California Releaf, who took us under her wing and introduced us to many very wonderful people.

Our village grew to include: Dana Karcher, who is very much a part of our history. Dana is bright, knowledgeable and caring about the bigger mission of urban forestry and Brian Kempt, Visalia Tree Foundation, who never tired of our endless questions and helped us in too many ways to mention. These folks led us to Greg McPherson and his wealth of research and his gentle ways that continue to this to day to be invaluable.

In the private sector, we met Pat and Mick Stockard – giants in the field of oaks – lending their expertise in the layout and design of the nursery grounds. Daryl Jordan of Jordan Pacific Engineering, Inc. and Kagle’s Custom Farming; Bob Weimer of Atwater Irrigation, Downey Plumbing, and Rolfe Construction helped us setup a water system on ground properly prepared to become a well designed nursery.

To date, we have established partnerships with the California Department of Forestry, The Federal Bureau of Prisons, local schools, The City of Atwater, The City of Merced and The City of Livingston.

Because of the insight of these people who have stepped up to the plate when needed, the village is being raised for the benefit of our urban forest.

We will change our valley, one person, one tree, one home, one business person, one institution at a time to help ensure future generations clean air, clean water, less noise, lower utilities through the planting and proper care of trees. We invite you to join us in the exciting process of change in our village.

Jim
President and Co-Founder, Tree Partners Foundation

Tree Partners Foundation Board of Directors 2009

	Dr. Jim Williamson President - Co-Founder Williamson Counseling Meet the President		Joan Faul Vice President and Founding Board Member City of Atwater Mayor
			Dr. Mike Copeland Treasurer Veterinarian
	Richard Dodson Director Retired College Instructor		Tim Farmer Director Director of Maintenance, Atwater Elementary School District
	Bryan Tassey Director Professor of Horticulture - Merced College Certified Arborist

Parnerships

From Darla Mills to Mr. Paul Schultz, U.S. Penitentiary Atwater,California.
"The Partnership you have developed with the Tree Partners Foundation is a
partnership other agencies and non-profits can replicate. This project
demonstrates a win-win situation for all the participants. Developing a nursery
in conjunction with Tree Partners Foundation has limitless potential."
~~ Darla Mills, Regional Field Specialist, Urban and Community Forestry