PLANTING TREES FORMS CONNECTIONS
Community arborist finds that unity thrives when people go green together
Each week, this series will introduce you to an exceptional American who unites, rather than divides, our communities. To read more about the American profiled here and more average Americans doing exceptional things, visit onenation.usatoday.com.
What does it mean to you to be an American?
“To be an American to me means being proud of where you live, helping out your community and the people who live in your community and being open-minded. (It also) means to be open to diversity in every way because people should have the right to be different in (any) way.”
What moment touched and motivated you to launch this effort?
“The moment that motivated me to start my career in the environmental field was probably my orientation day at Purdue University the summer before I started my studies. I decided to switch my major to wildlife science without much prior experience, and I never looked back.”
What gives you hope?
“What gives me hope is the people I surround myself with — a lot of positivity and my friends and family. I’m hoping that everyone around the world has the same thing — people (who) love and care about them.”
What concerns you?
“I’m concerned about what’s going on in the country right now. It’s nerve-wracking, but seeing people stand up for what they believe in and for what they love brings me away from being nervous about it. The violence across the world is something else that concerns me.”
What do you hope to accomplish through your efforts?
“I hope to bring the community together — that’s the mission of this organization — through nature. ... Although a tree planted in front of someone’s yard here in Indianapolis won’t (directly help) many of those suffering through some of these tough times, I hope to bring a bit of joy in the form of nature to the people of this city.”