Mission
Vision
Equity Statement
We believe that no one should be excluded or feel unwelcomed from participating in environmental stewardship or contributing their voice to plans or activities that impact their community.
You can read our full equity statement here.
You can read our anti-racism statement here on our blog.
Annual Reports
History
Key Milestones in our history:
1995 — Carnegie Mellon report, Pittsburgh’s Urban Forest: Planting for the Future, is published, outlining the declining state of the urban forest and need for action
1998 — Pittsburgh Shade Tree Commission (PTSC) re-established
2005 — PTSC commissions City of Pittsburgh Street Tree Inventory and Management Plan
2005 — PTSC launches early stages of the Tree Tender program
2006 — PTSC establishes Tree Pittsburgh
2007 — Tree Pittsburgh publishes an iTree Streets report based on 2005 Street Tree Inventory, quantifying the benefits that trees provide and establishing a cost benefit analysis for its care
2007 — Tree Pittsburgh takes over Tree Tender program
2008 — TreeVitalize Pittsburgh is launched at the Western PA Conservancy in partnership with Tree Pittsburgh, City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and PA DCNR
2010 — Urban Tree Canopy Analysis completed for Allegheny County
2010 — Tree Pittsburgh establishes the Heritage Nursery, a nursery where all trees are grown from locally collected seed
2011 — Tree Pittsburgh leads the creation of the City of Pittsburgh Urban Forest Master Plan, a 20-year road map aimed at protecting and restoring the City’s tree canopy
2015 — Western PA Conservancy and PTSC updated the City’s street tree inventory and management plan
2017 — Tree Pittsburgh commissions a new tree canopy analysis 2006–2016 which shows a loss of 10,000 acres of tree canopy across Allegheny County
2018 — Tree Pittsburgh breaks ground on its new campus on the Allegheny River in Lawrenceville that includes the Heritage Tree Nursery, offices, workshops, education center, and outdoor classroom
Favorite Tree
Eastern hemlock
(Tsuga canadensis)
Danielle Crumrine
Executive Director
Executive Director
For over 20 years, Danielle has worked in various capacities in the Pittsburgh environmental community. She has served as Tree Pittsburgh’s Executive Director for 15 years, where she has led the organization through significant growth — including their current effort to transform a former steel mill site into Tree Pittsburgh’s headquarters, including a tree nursery, education center, and office building.
Prior to joining Tree Pittsburgh in 2007, she was the founding Board President and Executive Director of Allegheny CleanWays, a group dedicated to empowering people to fight illegal dumping and littering in Allegheny County.
Danielle was named a top 40 under 40 environmental leader across the state of Pennsylvania by the PA Environmental Council, and in 2011, she was a Board member for the Alliance for Community Trees — the only national organization solely focused on the needs of those engaged in urban forestry. In 2015, as ACTrees President, she led the merger of ACTrees with the Arbor Day Foundation where she now sits on the Board of Trustees.
Favorite Tree
Katsura tree
(Cercidiphyllum japonicum)
Megan Higgins Palomo
Heritage Nursery Director
Heritage Nursery Director
As the Heritage Nursery Director, Megan is responsible for developing and managing all aspects of Tree Pittsburgh’s Heritage Nursery, which works to address the issue of forest biodiversity by growing a diverse tree stock for local plantings and ecosystem restoration efforts. Megan oversees all propagation and sales efforts, and manages the nursery volunteer program. From seed collection to the continued production of nursery stock, she works to ensure the highest quality standards by using current best management practices.
Prior to joining Tree Pittsburgh in November 2014, Megan served as the Business Development and Design Manager at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens where she led the organization’s sustainability consulting initiatives. Megan learned the nursery trade by working alongside her father for many years at their family-owned nursery business, Michael Brothers in West Deer, PA. She earned her B.S. in Landscape Architecture with a concentration in Horticulture from Cornell University in 2007.
Favorite Tree
Black gum
(Nyssa sylvatica)
Jake Milofsky
Director of Tree Care and Reforestation
Director of Tree Care and Reforestation
As Director of Tree Care and Reforestation, Jake oversees tree maintenance operations in the field. Working with volunteer groups and seasonal staff, Jake coordinates projects to keep street trees healthy in commercial and industrial portions of the city where there is little Tree Tender support.
In residential areas where there is Tree Tender support, Jake works directly with neighborhood Tree Tenders to schedule and support their communities’ tree care through regular events like Mulching Parties and Pruning Workshops.
Jake is also in charge of Tree Pittsburgh’s reforestation projects along greenways where the tree canopy has been impacted by invasive species. To advance these projects, Jake organizes volunteers and staff to plant new trees and maintain these sites.
Jake holds a BA in Environmental Studies from Bucknell University and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Horticulture and Ecological Restoration from the University of Washington in Seattle.
Jake is an ISA Certified Arborist and an active member of the Pennsylvania/Delaware Chapter of the ISA.
Favorite Tree
White Oak
(Quercus alba)
Joe Stavish
Director of Education
Director of Education
Joe helps to coordinate the Tree Tender Certification courses for adults as well as many youth programs in the community. Joe schedules and/or teaches many programs including garden club talks, visits to schools, summer camps, hosting scout programs, tabling at festivals, leading tree identification walks, and hosting nursery tours. He has presented at national and regional conferences including the Arbor Day Foundation’s Partners in Community Forestry Conference, and the Pennsylvania Delaware chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. He has instructed facilities and grounds crew trainings at universities including Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University, and the University of Pittsburgh. He is passionate about nature and incorporates insects, birds, amphibians, and mammals into many of the programs he facilitates.
Favorite Tree
Palm tree
(Arecaceae)
Kelsey Small
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Kelsey Small is the shared Chief Financial Officer for the Environmental Finance Collaborative with financial responsibilities for five organizations: Allegheny County Conservation District, Construction Junction, Grounded, Nine Mile Run Watershed Association and Tree Pittsburgh. Kelsey is responsible for providing operational financial expertise and oversight, budgeting and business planning, and adoption of best practices in financial management.
Most recently Kelsey was the Interim Director of Finance and Administration for the Carnegie Museum of Art, where she oversaw financial, fundraising, and organizational planning initiatives. Kelsey holds a Master of Arts Management Degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Florida.
Outside of the office, Kelsey enjoys exploring the city parks, baking, and gardening.
Favorite Tree
Birch
(Betula)
Maura O’Neill
Director of Development and Communications
Director of Development and Communications
As Director of Development and Communications, Maura is responsible for overseeing fundraising, grant writing, communications and marketing at Tree Pittsburgh as well as helping to expand our education programs. Prior to Tree Pittsburgh, Maura managed fundraising and marketing programs at public media and health development organizations.
Favorite Tree
Tulip Poplar
(Liriodendron tulipifera)
Maggie Aupperlee
Marketing and Communications Manager
Marketing and Communications Manager
As Manager of Marketing and Communications, Maggie is responsible for all of Tree Pittsburgh’s communications including social media, press releases, and email newsletters. She also serves as a support for development and fundraising events.
Maggie came to Pittsburgh in the fall of 2010 to participate in the Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience. She spent 7 years running her own nonprofit communications firm, working with local, regional, and national nonprofits.
When she’s not at Tree Pittsburgh, Maggie likes to bake and play with her energetic dog. You can probably find her camping in Pennsylvania’s state parks.
Favorite Tree
Crabapple
(Malus sylvestris)
Kathi Radock
Operations Manager
Operations Manager
Kathi joined Tree Pittsburgh in the fall of 2022 as our Operations Manager. Her primary responsibility is to ensure organizational effectiveness by providing support for the organization’s administrative functions. Kathi also contributes to the development and implementation of organizational strategies, policies and practices, and serves a leading role in inspiring a positive and supportive organizational culture.
Kathi has worked for nonprofits in the arts, public radio, and outdoor recreation. Most recently, Kathi worked at a local community development organization working in communications and operations, and she brings that experience to Tree Pittsburgh. She has a BA in English and Film Studies.
In Kathi’s spare time, she loves to read, go antiquing, bike, and spend time with her wife and dog. She’s a part of her neighborhood block watch, which includes the important task of picking up litter!
Favorite Tree
Coast redwood
(Sequoia sempervirens)
Matt Stanko
Nursery Operations Manager
Nursery Operations Manager
Matt joined Tree Pittsburgh in 2019. As Nursery Operations Manager, Matt is a part of all things Heritage Nursery. This means he is instrumental in transplanting, watering, and weeding plants as well as collecting and processing seeds.
Matt is an Air Force Veteran and an Eagle Scout. He had 10 years of residential tree care and removal experience before joining Tree Pittsburgh.
When he’s not caring for the trees, Matt is an avid backpacker, cyclist, and kayaker.
Favorite Tree
Oak
(Quercus)
Clara Kitongo
Tree Equity Manager
Tree Equity Manager
Clara has transitioned from her role as One Tree Per Child Program Manager to the newly created role of Tree Equity Manager. She will work with communities, especially those with low canopy or Environmental Justice communities, to be sure their voices and wishes are heard throughout our planning processes. She is a Master of Public Policy Management graduate from the Heinz School of Public Policy and Information Systems at Carnegie Mellon University. She has gathered a diverse array of skills through her working career as a former teacher, sustainability fellow with the Student Conservation Association, program coordinator at CMU, and a policy intern with the City of Pittsburgh. She also supports local volunteer initiatives and is a certified Tree Tender with us!
When she’s not at work, Clara loves to be outdoors. She loves to take walks in the park and ride her bike on a good summer or fall evening. She is also an in-house musician, so be on the lookout for some work from her soon!
Favorite Tree
Quaking aspen
(Populus tremuloides)
Loralyn Fabian
Tree Adoption Program Manager
Tree Adoption Program Manager
Loralyn joined Tree Pittsburgh in 2022 to manage the Tree Adoption program, which provides trees to residents of Allegheny County at no cost. Loralyn has a background in community development, engagement, and greening projects.
Loralyn’s love for nature started at a young age, hiking and biking with her family. This grew into a desire to protect and restore natural environments. As Tree Adoption Program Manager, Loralyn is able to blend her skills in planning and strategy, her love of nature and the urban forest, and her experience in community engagements and partnerships.
Loralyn holds a BLA in Landscape Architecture from Penn State University. When she’s not at work, you can find her hiking and backpacking, recharging in nature, and spending time illustrating and drawing.
Favorite Tree
Shagbark hickory
(Carya ovata)
Kurt Carlson
Facilities Manager
Facilities Manager
As Facilities Manager, Kurt does it all. He is a jack of all trades building our robot lawn mower (yes, a robot mows our courtyard!), building potting benches for the Heritage Nursery, and generally fixing all of the things that need to be fixed around campus. Kurt has also been instrumental in steering Tree Pittsburgh toward a zero-waste facility.
Throughout Kurt’s professional career, he has worked as a writer and editor for Thrasher Magazine, computer magazines, and even video game instruction manuals. He began to use his varied skillset to fix peoples’ houses, which led him to join Tree Pittsburgh.
Kurt enjoys camping, playing board and card games, and doing house projects when he’s not at Tree Pittsburgh.
Favorite Tree
Coast redwood
(Sequoia sempervirens)
Jamie Gruzinski
Tree Care and Reforestation Project Manager
Tree Care and Reforestation Project Manager
As the Tree Care and Reforestation Project Coordinator, Jamie trains seasonal field staff and manages community tree care and planting projects. With interests in urban forestry and terrestrial ecology, Jamie provides a unique perspective in the effort to grow Pittsburgh’s urban forest.
Jamie originally joined Tree Pittsburgh in 2016 as a seasonal member of the Summer Tree Care Crew, but his role developed into a long-term position as a Program Assistant. He briefly left Tree Pittsburgh in 2019 to gain more experience in arboriculture, but is now back to train the next generation of arborists and neighborhood Tree Tenders.
Jamie holds a BS in Environmental Biology from Clarion University with work experience in multiple disciplines that span across nonprofits, private businesses, and city government.
Favorite Tree
European Copper Beech
(Fagus sylvatica)
Kelsey Munsick
Tree Tender Program Manager
Tree Tender Program Manager
Kelsey joined Tree Pittsburgh in 2021 and has transitioned from her original role as Community Tree Specialist to the newly created Tree Tender Program Manager. In this position, Kelsey will work directly with our dedicated Tree Tenders and other volunteers.
Prior to working with Tree Pittsburgh, Kelsey was an Allegheny County Park Ranger. In her role as an educational interpretive ranger, her role was to lead hikes and trail projects, including tree planting projects with Tree Pittsburgh. Her internship with Grey Towers Historical site with the US Forest Service inspired her to pursue a career in environmental conservation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation from California University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in Park & Resource Management from Slippery Rock University.
When she’s not in the community working on trees, she enjoys gardening, taking her dog for walks in South Park, and serving as the captain for her Ragnar running team.
Favorite Tree
Mimosa
(Albizia julibrissin)
Kimberly Bracken
Giving Grove Manager
Giving Grove Manager
Kimberly is the Giving Grove Manager at Tree Pittsburgh. She helps to launch new fruit orchards in the region and provides support to existing community gardens/orchards. Kimberly also helps to facilitate the sharing and distribution of Giving Grove fruits, nuts, and berries.
Kimberly graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and has a certificate in permaculture design from Phipps Conservatory. She got involved in gardening by joining the Old Allegheny Community Garden. She wrote grants and designed gardens for the Children’s Museum and Food City Community Garden, a quarter-acre food forest on Tripoli Street on the North Side.
Kimberly is an avid bicycler. In her free time, she likes to cook, read, quilt, write letters, papercutting, and play board games.
Favorite Tree
Chinkapin oak
(Quercus muehlenbergii)
Jonathan Fantazier
One Tree Per Child Program Manager
One Tree Per Child Program Manager
Jonathan joined Tree Pittsburgh in 2023 as Program Manager for One Tree Per Child. Through this role Jonathan serves students through the K‑12 age range in learning about trees, forest & urban ecology, climate science, and environmental health.
Prior to joining Tree Pittsburgh in August 2023, Jonathan taught in the Pittsburgh Public Schools as well as other independent, charter, Montessori, and religious schools. He has a BS in Technical Writing from Carnegie Mellon University and earned a MA in Teaching from Chatham University, with dual certifications in secondary English and mathematics. Jonathan has continued his education through several curriculum development fellowships, and certifications in Permaculture Design and Horticulture. Beyond his work with Tree Pittsburgh, Jonathan is the Secretary for the Board of Directors of the PLEA behavioral health agency.
Jonathan is a biker, runner, swimmer, boater, martial artist, and an art, music, & food enthusiast. You may see him out with his partner bird watching, looking for fossils, or foraging for mushrooms in our city, county, and state parks.
Favorite Tree
Red maple
(Acer rubrum)
Maeve Rafferty
Education Coordinator
Education Coordinator
Maeve serves as Tree Pittsburgh’s Education Coordinator, but this isn’t her first time on staff! Her current role, which began in 2021, involves creating educational programming and supporting education efforts across all Tree Pittsburgh programs. Previously, Maeve has worked in our Heritage Nursery for 5 years and on the winter pruning crew for 2.
Maeve studied environmental biology at University College Dublin and spent a decade working in nature conservation in Northern Ireland. She moved to Pittsburgh in 2010 and was drawn to the city’s trees.
Outside of the office, Maeve enjoys learning more about the diversity of plant life by hiking in the forests, fields, and off-beaten paths in Pittsburgh. She’s also an active member of the Lawrenceville Tree Tenders and helps to maintain the Lawrenceville Tree Park.
Favorite Tree
Eastern hemlock
(Tsuga canadensis)
Terra Nonack
Event Rental Coordinator
Event Rental Coordinator
Terra is a familiar face around Tree Pittsburgh, having worked in various capacities before taking on the role of Event Rental Coordinator. Terra meets with every interested rental client and handles all booking, staffing, and coordination of vendor dropoffs and pickups. Along with Kurt, Terra has steered us toward zero waste in the office as well as providing that opportunity for event rentals as well. She also plays another crucial role on staff: keeping our building clean!
Terra is a Master Gardener, who used to grow and sell her own organic produce at farmer’s markets. She has a passion for sustainability, having lived on a sustainable farm growing up. Through her experience in the service industry, she developed a passion for taking care of people and making sure people have what they need.
Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, camping, hiking, and hanging out with her kids.
Favorite Tree
Tulip poplar
(Liriodendron tulipifera)
Devin Ehrlich
Urban Forest Technician
Urban Forest Technician
Devin spends his days at Tree Pittsburgh outside, planting and caring for young trees across Allegheny County. As our Urban Forest Technician, he supports all of our tree care and tree planting programs, including One Tree Per Child and activities within our ReLeaf communities.
Devin comes to Tree Pittsburgh after completing the Horticulture Technology Program at Bidwell Training Center and an externship at Beechwood Farms. He’s always been interested in nature, starting with his time at summer camp. Working at Tree Pittsburgh provides Devin the opportunity to get out in the city and getting to know it better, and to explore new places.
Devin loves to spend his free time hiking and reading about nature and philosophy. He is a student of life.
Favorite Tree
Tulip poplar
(Liriodendron tulipifera)
Alliy Gundlach
Heritage Nursery Seed Technician
Heritage Nursery Seed Technician
Alliy joins the team as our Seed Technician in the Heritage Nursery. Alliy collects all of the tree and shrub seeds for our nursery program. She scouts new collection locations, collects seeds responsibly, and catalogs them appropriately. She also cleans and prepares seeds for stratification and planting in the spring.
Alliy’s background includes a conservation biology degree from the University of Central Florida. She has worked for the US Fish & Wildlife Service and The Nature Conservancy doing plant studies. She then came back to Pittsburgh and spent time in retail growing before joining our team right at the start of the busy seed collection season!
When she’s not at the office, Alliy spends time playing in the mountains including adventure sports, climbing, backpacking, and endurance runs. She also enjoys vegetable gardening.
Favorite Tree
Tulip poplar
(Liriodendron tulipifera)
Meg Harris
Nursery Horticulture Technician
Nursery Horticulture Technician
Meg is our Horticulture Technician in the Heritage Nursery. Previously, Meg was an Environmental Educator at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. She has a degree in environmental science from Chatham University.
As our Horticulture Technician, Meg spends her days in the nursery caring for young trees and shrubs. This includes planting and up-potting seedlings, monitoring soil, integrated pest management, and general maintenance of our thousands of containerized trees. When you volunteer at the Heritage Nursery, you will definitely meet Meg!
When she’s not at Tree Pittsburgh, you can still find Meg outside in nature (look for her in a hammock in the parks). She also enjoys traveling and makes sure to go on a hike in each state she visits.
Favorite Tree
Bigleaf magnolia
(Magnolia macrophylla)
Mel Bryan
Urban Forest Technician
Urban Forest Technician
After joining Tree Pittsburgh in a seasonal role in 2022, Mel “officially” joined us in 2023 as an Urban Forest Technician. Mel has a background in visual arts and a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University. They developed an interest in nature during their time in college, which led them to join Landforce in 2020 and then Tree Pittsburgh in 2022.
As an Urban Forest Technician, Mel works on several teams to grow our urban forest! You’ll see them at Tree Adoptions, tree plantings, and tree care events around the city.
Outside of their work with Tree Pittsburgh, Mel enjoys biking around and exploring the city, and working on craft and mending projects.
Favorite Tree
White oak
(Quercus alba)
Oaklee
Mascot, Greeter, All-Around Fun Bringer
Mascot, Greeter, All-Around Fun Bringer
Oaklee started at Tree Pittsburgh in the fall of 2017, helping with family story time at Arbor Aid and Pawpaw Fest. At Tree Pittsburgh, it’s Oaklee’s job to make events more fun. Some might say Oaklee is just a mascot, but we know Oaklee brings so much more to the organization. Be on the lookout for Oaklee at Tree Pittsburgh events around Allegheny County!
A native of the oak trees on Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park, Oaklee recently moved to Lawrenceville to work for Tree Pittsburgh. In their spare time, Oaklee climbs trees, jumps fences, and eats nuts and berries.
Board of Directors

Michael Zimmerman, Chair

Matt Plecity, Vice Chair

Isabela Cajiao-Angelelli, Secretary

Anne Franks, Treasurer

Justin Berk

Sam Chan

Darla Cravotta

Kevin Gieder

Wesley Kanawalsky

Eric Milliron

John Oliverio

Mary Ellen Ramage
