Smart Trees Pacific is a non-profit urban forestry organization serving Hawaii & the Pacific Region! We recognize that Hawaii’s tropical urban trees are a vital resource and we work to raise awareness & support for our urban forests! With over 40 years of collective experience that demonstrates our knowledge and skills in Urban Forestry, we are the leaders in developing sustainable and healthy community forests.
Our History
Originally founded as ‘Friend’s of Hawaii’s Urban Forests’ in 1998 by Kevin Eckert, Teresa Trueman-Madriaga and Larry Gay, the organization was established to take on a supportive role to grow and enhance the State of Hawaii’s Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program.
In 2014, our organization’s name changed to Smart Trees Pacific in order to reflect our broader goals within the Pacific. Since then, we have worked throughout the Hawaiian islands and in other areas in the Pacific supporting urban forestry initiatives.
Today, Smart Trees Pacific operates as an independent nonprofit urban forestry organization while continuing to work jointly with DLNR, Division of Forestry and Wildlife to administer and deliver the Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program. Smart Trees Pacific works under the simple goal of improving and sustaining vital urban forests across the Pacific.
Our Mission
“Promote and provide resources to select, install, establish, and care for trees to provide solutions for the natural and human environment.”
What We Do
Smart Trees Pacific (STP) is a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about the many benefits of trees by provides technical and material resources to best use urban trees as a dynamic resource that will enhance and manage sustainable communities.
STP seeks opportunities to increase the collective understanding, establishment and maintenance of the urban forest. We believe that using sophisticated technology coupled with sound arboriculture practices will lead to enhanced value and benefits, and an acceptance of trees as an integral component of the green infrastructure.
Our Services
The Smart Trees Pacific staff and Board have extensive technical and professional, hands-on experience, and are recognized experts in urban forestry capable of:
- Designing and implementing large-scale urban forest management assessments and management plans.
- Designing and conducting tree risk assessments and recommending risk reduction measures.
- Applying state-of-the-art technology to understand and manage the urban forest.
- Conducting landscape planning and complete streets programs.
- Supporting LEED certification.
- Partnering with groups to develop urban forestry research and management plans.
- Developing tools to mitigate the effects of natural disasters on the urban forest.
- Collaborating with or engaging industry leaders and planners in its projects.
- Acting as agents of positive change for community greening.
We work hard to initiate community environmental change through collaborative work:
- Urban Forestry Grants: helping deliver quarterly grants through Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program
- Urban Tree Canopy Assessments: assessing Honolulu’s tree canopy and monitor change in canopy levels
- Citizen Forester Program: engaging volunteers to systematically inventory and map public trees on Oahu
- Restoration Projects: recommend an integrated course of action to restore the native ecosystems
- analyze Honolulu’s street tree resource structure, function, value and management needs
- Urban Forestry Storm Response: Hawaii’s urban forestry emergency operations planning toolkit, providing urban forestry professionals concrete approaches when preparing for natural disasters that impact the urban forest.
Our Staff
Our Board of Directors
Our Projects
