With Casey Trees always working on expanding and doing more in our community, it’s essential to acknowledge that (much like trees) growth takes time and dedication. In honor of National Nonprofit Day on Wednesday, we sat down with Mark Buscaino, our Executive Director for the past 16 years! Mark is someone who has been around since our modest beginnings and has helped our organization blossom into what it is today.
Casey Trees (CT): When and how did you get started at CT?
Mark Buscaino (MB): I worked in 2001 as DC’s City Forester under then Mayor Anthony Williams. That was when CT also got its start, and we collaborated quite a bit.
CT: For all the aspiring kids or tree lovers out there – What drew you to the urban forestry field?
MB: As a kid I always loved playing in the patch of woods where I lived, and I admittedly did carve my name into the American beech trees that were there… Sorry folks – I didn’t hurt them – they’re still standing! But I was fully hooked when I apprenticed with a professional forester in West Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer. I was incredibly fortunate to have been part of a tree production and planting effort designed to help communities deal with fuelwood shortages. It was an amazing experience that influenced most everything in my career.
CT: What is your proudest accomplishment at CT?
MB: Well – can I mention two?
Number one is the laws we’ve helped shepherd through DC Council designed to protect healthy, large trees. Casey Trees is generally known a great community planting and engagement group. We’re immensely proud of that and it’s a huge part of our portfolio. But – literally thousands of healthy trees have been saved over the past 20 years that otherwise would be mulch because of the laws we helped craft and pass with the support of our many Citizen Advocates. In my mind that is our most significant accomplishment.
And number two: The staff and Board of Directors at Casey Trees are simply incredible. Committed individuals helping CT achieve its mission in so many ways. And it doesn’t end at Casey Trees – many staffers have moved on to successful careers in organizations doing similar work to us here at CT – it’s an amazing story.
CT: What is your favorite memory with volunteers?
MB: Too many to count! But if I had to pick it would be about 15 years ago when my kids were small enough to fit into a wheelbarrow. I would take them to plantings and the volunteers would embrace them as their own, showing them how to plant and ride in the wheelbarrow! Both Malika and Nicco – now out of the house, still speak about that. It’s a special honor to be part of the Casey Trees family.
CT: We have to ask – What’s your favorite Tree and why?
MB: That’s easy – Baldcypress. Known in the tree world as a “cosmopolitan” species, they can thrive in harsh environments be it, heat, drought, salt, or constantly wet soil. Second- they’re incredibly beautiful. Their “architecture, or form, is relatively upright but a mature tree casts a large, cooling shadow. Finally – their leaves are small, narrow, and numerous – often referred to as “wispy” and “dreamlike,” and I definitely concur!
Donate to Casey Trees to Restore, Enhance and Protect D.C.’s Tree Canopy. Casey Trees relies on the support of friends, neighbors, and volunteers to make our work possible. Thank you for your support any way you can!
