About Us

Who We Are
The Newton Tree Conservancy is a new, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, formed for the purpose of raising money for the preservation and planting of trees in Newton. It was born out of the recognition that the city is not in a position to cover all the costs necessary to maintain our urban forest - the trees along our streets and in our parks and other public areas, and that in order to continue to enjoy the economic and environmental benefits of these trees, we must take action to develop initiatives that will supplement what can be supported through the city's budget.

Mission
Our goal is to promote the health of Newton's trees through:

• Funding for planting and care of new trees, as well as preservation pruning and tree maintenance in a way that will supplement - not replace - city funding
• Educational programs to build public awareness of the value of trees and the risks of not properly caring for and replacing trees along streets and in parks and other public places, and to help people know how to keep their own trees healthy
• Training programs and volunteer opportunities to give citizens an opportunity to participate in tree maintenance and planting

Founders/Directors
Katherine Howard, President & Director
Jay Berkson, Treasurer & Director
Douglas Dickson, Clerk & Director
Deborah Howard, Director
Julia Malakie, Director
Jack Wittenberg, Director
ex officio: City of Newton Director of Urban Forestry

Sponsors
The Newton Tree Conservancy thanks its sponsors: the Charles River Neighborhood Foundation (www.charlesriverneighborhoodfoundation.org) which helps to support our start up costs; Newton Conservators Inc. (www.newtonconservators.org), which provides administrative support; and the City of Newton Division of Urban Forestry (www.ci.newton.ma.us/Parks/UrbanForestry/UrbanForestryMain.htm).