About Us

Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria are Northern Virginia volunteers who take the lead to enhance a sustainable urban forest through volunteer activities and public education programs. Our volunteer activities include:

• planting, pruning, mulching and watering of street, park and school trees
• staffing informational booths at farmers’ markets and local festivals
• leading neighborhood Tree Walks and speaking at community gatherings
• advocating for trees wherever and whenever needed

Our chapter took root in 2001, with help from Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Urban Forestry Council’s Trees Virginia.

After a steady growth in membership, TSAA in 2010 adopted bylaws, elected a board of directors to oversee its budget and programs, and reaffirmed its partnerships with Arlington County, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Alexandria City and Trees Virginia. TSAA became a registered nonprofit with the state of Virginia and the IRS.

TSAA welcomes all citizens who care about trees to join us. For information on training classes, upcoming activities, requesting a Tree Steward speaker, or to comment on trees in your neighborhood, email: treestewardsarlalexva@gmail.com

Officers for 2026 are:

VP of Membership: Nora Palmatier

Nora was in the first TS class in 2001 and has been involved in many projects since then.While still working, her limited time was spent mostly on Saturday events like plantings, invasive plant removals and staffing education tables at farmers markets. She was on the Board and President in 2010 for several years and then stepped down to concentrate onArlington’s Tree Canopy Fund, Urban Forestry Commission, Regional Forestry Roundtable and Trees Virginia Board. Her goal is to get the organization back to its strong functioning before the pandemic. TSAA membership has about 90 committed tree lovers doing incredible volunteer work that few hear about — changing that dynamic so others can join the activities is what she strives for. 

Treasurer: Carol Weldon 

Carol recently retired after a 37 year civil service career as a budget analyst and financial analyst for the Department of the Navy. Her work experience included preparation and analysis of financial statements and extensive use of Excel spreadsheets. She completed the Tree Steward training in 2013. Before COVID, for several years she organized the information table at the Arlington Courthouse Farmers Market. She also enjoyed volunteering at the Arlington Parks Nursery and at Earth Sangha and in support of the Arlington Tree Canopy Program. She has been involved with the restoration of a wooded area at my church. She completed the Arlington Regional Master Naturalist training in spring 2021 and served as the TSAA Treasurer in 2022. 

Outreach Chair and Board Member at Large: Mary Gillman 

Mary Gillman is a recently minted Tree Steward, having graduated in the Fall of 2023. Mary has lived in the Alexandria area most of her life and has lived in the Monticello Park area since 1998. She’s passionate about native trees and plants and is actively replacing her lawn and non-native plants and invasives with natives to better support a welcoming natural habitat for pollinators and birds alike. Mary really enjoys the comradery and hands-on learning provided by the Tree Stewards. Taking over the role of Public Outreach and Education Chair will provide an opportunity to share her passion with the public and our partners to extend awareness and engagement with our wonderful organization. 

Board Member at Large: Lori Brent

Lori is a long-time Arlington resident, having happily moved to the edge of Glen Carlyn Park over twenty years ago. Ever since she was a very young Girl Scout she has had a deep abiding love and respect for trees. She became interested in Tree Stewards some years ago when her children were younger, picking up her redbud at a tree distribution event. Enamored by the organization and what it stands for and accomplishes, she promised herself that once the kids were grown she would become a Tree Steward herself. As time passed her sense of urgency grew, seeing the destruction of green space…especially mature trees. Lori is part of the 2022 class of Tree Stewards and hit the ground running once training was completed. She has helped out with many tree plantings and prunings and enjoys every bit of it. Into the future she plans on continuing to help expand the number of native trees in the Arlington and Alexandria region and to help maintain their health through pruning, as needed, and is eager to bring in more Tree Stewards, as well as to raise more awareness locally about our wonderful organization.

Board Member at Large: Erin Doyle

Erin became a tree steward with the Class of 2023 and is excited to be joining the Board in 2025. Erin has called Virginia home for most of her life and has seen how the changing dynamics impact our homes, parks, and favorite hiking trails. As a tree steward, Erin hopes to encourage awareness and involvement from the community—as they say, it takes a village!

Board Member at Large: Steve Geiger

Steve Geiger became a Tree Steward in 2022 after a career as an environmental scientist involved the cleanup of hazardous waste sites.  He has been active in Arlington County’s tree pruning program, tree plantings and invasive removals, and is currently the Tree Steward liaison to the Arlington County Urban Forestry department.  In 2024, Steve served on the Tree Steward Training Committee.  In 2023 and 2024 he coordinated a program with the Urban Forestry department to evaluate the efficacy of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance which requires contractors to plant trees on developed properties, by surveying the trees on representative properties developed five years previously.  He was part of a team which developed a one-page information sheet on trees and rooftop solar power, and is interested in promoting public education about the benefits of trees.

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Tree Stewards is a statewide program sponsored by the Virginia Urban Forestry Council.
www.treesvirginia.org

Chapters include:

Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards
www.charlottesvilleareatreestewards.org

Front Royal Tree Stewards
www.treesfrontroyal.org

Lynchburg Tree Stewards
https://www.lynchburgva.gov/lynchburg-tree-stewards

Richmond Tree Stewards
http://www.richmondtreestewards.org

Roanoke Tree Stewards
https://treesroanoke.org/about-1

Virginia Beach Tree Stewards (specialized Master Gardeners)
www.vbmg.org