Cleveland Tree Coalition executive director joins national urban sustainability initiative; Local forestry advocates say new role could help cast a bigger spotlight on Cleveland efforts

Cleveland Tree Coalition Executive Director Samira Malone has been appointed to a prestigious national sustainability post, and local forestry advocates are optimistic the new role will bolster the potential to enhance local urban forestry initiatives. 

Malone, who will remain in Cleveland, has been tapped as the new National Urban Forestry Portfolio Lead, a collaboration between Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) and the Center for Regenerative Solutions. This collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of nature-based climate solutions while improving the social, economic and environmental resilience of local communities.

“Samira will remain rooted in Cleveland and immersed in our mission,” said Rich Cochran, chair of the Cleveland Tree Coalition’s executive committee and president & CEO of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. 

“In addition to being directly involved in funding for urban forestry, Samira will continue to serve as chair of Cleveland’s Urban Forestry Commission. We are confident that her new role will serve as a catalyst in amplifying local urban forestry initiatives onto a national stage, casting an even brighter spotlight on our collective efforts,” he added.

Malone said the job change “marks not an end but a continuation of my partnership with Cleveland Tree Coalition members. I remain dedicated to supporting the work we have initiated in Cleveland while leveraging a national platform to amplify our impact.’’

She added: “It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve alongside such dedicated individuals, and I am immensely proud of the progress we have achieved together. Please know that while I may be transitioning to a new role, my commitment to our shared goals remains steadfast.”

Cochran noted that the coalition has raised and deployed millions of dollars to reforest Cleveland. He said succession planning is underway to ensure a smooth seamless transition that will allow the Cleveland Tree Coalition to maintain its present momentum. 

Reforesting the Forest City: A Slate of Events Scheduled to Celebrate Arbor Day 2022

Cleveland Tree Coalition member organizations are celebrating trees in Cleveland all week long.

In celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Arbor Day, the Cleveland Tree Coalition – a collaborative group of public, private and community stakeholders that have partnered with the City of Cleveland to rebuild our urban forest – will host a series of virtual and in-person events to celebrate Arbor Day in Cleveland.

The Cleveland Tree Coalition members will be posting social media content throughout the week using the hashtag: #ArborDayCLE. Additional Arbor Week events include:

  • Tuesday. April 26
    • Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District and Friends of Euclid Creek will host an in-person seminar called “Green Yards & Healthy Homes” to demonstrate how to replace chemicals in your home and yard with natural-safe options.
    • Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s Zoom into Nature webinar series will highlight Arbor Week with Foundations of Tree Identification. Attendees will join Lizzie Sords, certified Arborist, to learn the basics of tree ID and common plant terminology that they can use to start to identify the trees in their own neighborhoods. This webinar will set attendees up to continue to learn and practice tree ID on their own as our trees begin to leaf out and bloom.
  • Thursday, April 28
  • Friday, April 29
    • In observance of Arbor Day on Friday, April 29th, Holden Forests & Gardens will offer free admission to the Cleveland Botanical Garden and the Holden Arboretum. Free tree seedlings will be distributed at Cleveland Botanical Garden between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and at the Holden Arboretum between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., or while supplies last at each campus. Trees that will be distributed are: Red maple, Acer rubrum, Sugar maple, Acer saccharum, Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Serbian spruce, Picea omorika.
  • Saturday, April 30
    • Cleveland Metroparks will host “Big Trees in the Valley” hike where attendees will discover the different species of trees that enjoy living in the river valley.
    • Fun for the whole family – Nature Center at Shaker Lakes will be hosting a Family Exploration Day, featuring a wildflower hike, creek exploration, and caterpillar/butterfly monitoring.
    • “Grow not Mow” by Doan Brook Partnership will have volunteers planting 60+ buttonbush and silky dogwood in this marshy area to absorb stormwater, prevent erosion during severe weather events and provide habitat for native wildlife.
    • Tree-t yourself to a free tree this Arbor Day at Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s Arbor Day Tree Adoption. In an effort to raise the tree canopy in Cleveland, 160 trees will be given away to city of Cleveland residents.
    • Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District will host their annual “Big Creek Cleanup” to protect or local streams and Lake Erie.
    • “Flow and Grow” in MidTown will feature a Neighborhood Community Tree Planting and Celebration from 12-4 p.m. at the Dunham Tavern. The event will feature local food as well as a yoga session from instructor Dawn M. Rivers. AJ and The Confirmation Band will also perform! Volunteers are still needed!

The 2015 Cleveland Tree Plan set a target to increase Cleveland’s tree canopy cover from 19% to 30% by 2040. Although the region has made progress in the past six years, according to a report compiled by the Cleveland Tree Coalition, tree canopy cover continues to decline. Neighborhood canopy cover varies widely, ranging from 35% to 4% across the city. From heat island effects to stormwater benefits, the effect of urban forest decline affects BIPOC communities disproportionately, systemically. The 2020 update calls for the Cleveland community to rise creatively and collectively to grow an equitable canopy. This includes peeling many layers of systemic injustices to address health and environmental detriments, and creating just accessible and green opportunities in the process.