Christy Kwan: Citizen Forester and “Tree Nut”

Our Citizen Foresters are a huge part of how we get so much done around here at Casey Trees, so we want to bring to you someone who epitomizes the energy and aura of a true Citizen Forester: Christy Kwan!

A native of Los Angeles but now a District resident, CF Christy Kwan has lived a tree-filled life on both coasts.

Kwan’s backyard throughout her childhood was enveloped by a miniature orchard of apricot, fig, and persimmon trees, as well as several others.  As a graduate student in Philadelphia, Kwan became interested in urban agriculture and the roles trees play in communities, and she planted her first tree with her university’s environmental club.

But it was Casey Trees’ Planning and Design Department that first interested Kwan, who received her Masters degree in city and regional planning, in the Casey Trees.  She decided to take a few classes, including the Tree Planting Workshop, which qualified her as a CF.

“I wanted to get involved because I had done a small amount of tree plantings in grad school,” Kwan said, “and remembered that I had a lot of fun.”

Since joining Casey Trees’ CF corps, by far Kwan’s favorite aspect of the program has been meeting new people, both volunteers and other CFs.  When she’s a part of a planting team with another CF, she enjoys learns new tree planting techniques that help her better lead her own teams; but most of all, “I really like just meeting people and hearing why they’re interested in spending their Saturday morning with us.

“The program is a great way to meet people and give back to the community,” Kwan said.  “Not only do you get to see the physical result of your labor for years to come, but you also sometimes get to volunteer with the residents of that community.”

Though she has been a CF for less than a year – and just became a Lead CF this past spring, when she helped coordinate the Community Tree Planting event at Mayfair Mansions in Ward 7 – Kwan has a few tree planting goals, including participating in a CTP event in every Ward.  With only Wards 1, 2, and 3 left for her to plant in, she is well on her way!  Kwan also has her sights set on doing more to protect D.C.’s trees.

“I would also like to become more involved with advocating for trees at public meetings.  I’m a D.C. resident, but have yet to do more my part to become more involved in shaping the community in which I live.”

Get to know other star Citizen Foresters and volunteers by signing up to receive our free monthly e-newsletter, the Leaflet.

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