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Who We Are
The Committee on Public Planting has up to 22 members representative of all Cambridge neighborhoods. They are charged with the responsibility of promoting and improving the quality and diversity of plantings throughout Cambridge. Generally, Committee members have past interest in urban forestry and landscaping and, often, experience in horticulture.
Current Members
| Carrie Burke | Mid-Cambridge |
| Chantal Eide | Strawberry Hill |
| Christina Mann | Neighborhood Nine |
| Cindy Carpenter | Mid-Cambridge |
| Cynthia Smith | Mid-Cambridge- Baldwin/Agassiz |
| Rachel Eva Tine | Port |
| Gretchen Friesinger | North Cambridge |
| Maggie Booz | Strawberry Hill |
| Paola Massari | Riverside |
| Robb Johnson | Cambridgeport |
| Rob Vandenabeele | Mid-Cambridge |
| Sara Cohen | The Port |
| Sophia Emperador | North Cambridge |
| Tracy Orr | Neighborhood Nine |
What We Do
The Committee’s work includes reviewing public planting plans, advising the City on effective maintenance of public plantings, supporting the role of the Urban Forestry Division, and encouraging interest in public plantings across all of Cambridge’s neighborhoods. Their role is to advocate for a strong and healthy urban forest in Cambridge. Committee members also promote community interest and engagement with the urban forest. Committee members advocate for new trees across the city and support Urban Forestry staff by promoting programs related to the urban forest, such as Cambridge Urban Forest Friends and Arbor Week.
When Do We Meet
The Committee meets on the second Wednesday of every month from 5:30-7pm. These meetings are hybrid: in-person at the Department of Public Works and, additionally, on Zoom. The July meeting is a field trip, and August is off.
2026 Meeting Dates (Click the dates to view that meeting's agenda)
January 14, February 11, March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, September 9, October 14, and December 9
To view the past meeting minutes, click the button above, enter "Public Planting Committee" in the search bar, and select 'Meeting Minutes' from the document type dropdown menu.
For more information about the Committee, contact David Lefcourt, City Arborist at 617-349-6433 or dlefcourt@cambridgema.gov.
The Cambridge Department of Public Works invites you to celebrate Arbor Week, May 4, 2026 - May 8, 2026, featuring activities and information that promote the City's Urban Forest.
Monday, May 4 - Visit Joan Lorentz Park outside the Main Library to see tree fun facts that will be featured around the park.
Tuesday, May 5 - There will a tabling event with the Committee on Public Planting and Green Cambridge outside City Hall Annex from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Come learn about the urban forest and get a free seedling along with coloring book and crayon giveaways.
Wednesday, May 6 - There will be a commemorative tree planting with Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and City Arborist Dave Lefcourt at a City school building, to be announced at a later date. Join City Arborist Dave Lefcourt for a neighborhood tree walk from the Tobin Montessori School to Danehy Park at 5:30 p.m. The walking route is approximately 1 mile.
Thursday, May 7 - Arbor Week Celebration at the Main Library. The Department of Public Works Urban Forestry Division and members from the Committee on Public Planting will be outside the Main Library from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Members of the community are invited to come learn about Cambridge’s Urban Forest. Staff will be giving away free seedlings, coloring books, crayons and more!
Librarians will be leading an Arbor Week theme Toddler Time at 11 a.m., reading a tree-themed book to children outside the library.
Friday, May 8 - There will be a commemorative tree planting with Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and City Arborist Dave Lefcourt at a City school building, to be announced at a later date.
Join the Cambridge Water Department, for the 16th Annual Festival-style Celebration of Water, Community, and Sustainability. Located at the Walter J. Sullivan Water Treatment Facility
250 Fresh Pond Pkwy. Cambridge, MA 02138
On Saturday, June 13th from 11:00am to 3:00pm all are welcome to join the Cambridge Water Department for Fresh Pond Day! Fresh Pond Reservoir is the City's active drinking water supply, and every drop of water from every tap in Cambridge comes from Fresh Pond and passes through the Walter J. Sullivan Water Treatment Facility. Every single day Cambridge Residents use between 10- and 14-million gallons of water, and this is our chance to celebrate our independent water supply and green space oasis in such an urban environment.
What can you expect?
Trees are an important part of life in Cambridge. They line our streets, fill our parks, and grow in our yards and campuses—making our City greener, cooler, and healthier.
In 2024, Cambridge reached an exciting milestone: 30% of the city is now shaded by trees! This goal was set in 2019 to help fight the loss of tree canopy caused by development and climate change.
There’s a lot to celebrate...and still more to do. Join us to learn how the city turned things around, share your own experiences, and tell us what you think our next priorities should be to grow a greener Cambridge for everyone.
View the full meeting flyer here. View the Calendar Entry here!
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