Community Greening Staff Members
Mark Cassini
Why is Community Greening important to you?
So many of us feel helpless when faced with the serious risks associated with climate change. Community Greening creates an informative conversation about our impact on the land and empowers people to participate and improve it.
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
I love visiting the natural areas near my home like Delray Oaks, Pondhawk and Yamato Scrub. It’s an amazing escape to exercise, be immersed in nature, and imagine what this area was like only a century ago.
Mark Cassini
Co-Founder
Community Greening
Matt Shipley
CG is important to me because it makes the connections between big environmental issues and how people can make a difference on the community level. CG focuses on inspiring and educating the people for a more sustainable future for our mother earth and the future generations of this world.
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
When I hear green space, I think of open space in nature and growing up here in Delray, one of my favourite places will always be our beaches (even though I spend most of my time picking up ocean trash or cigarette butts).
Matt Shipley
Co-Founder
Community Greening
Adriene Tynes
Why is Community Greening important to you?
Green spaces are critical for our emotional and physical wellbeing, and they’re great for the local economy. I’m excited to be a part of an organization that’s bringing together communities to improve our environment and make Palm Beach County a better place to live, work, and play.
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
I love John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. There are mangroves as far as you can see from the boardwalk, and the hammock is a great place for strangler fig and live oaks.
Adriene Tynes
Operations Director
Community Greening
Josh Weiner
Why is Community Greening important to you?
I really enjoy seeing the tangible impact we’re making on the community and environment. It’s amazing to see parks, green spaces, and even downtown roadways be completely transformed almost overnight by one of our large planting events. It’s also very gratifying and gives you great hope for the future when you see the large number of volunteers that donate their free time and energy towards bettering the community.
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
I love taking my daughter to explore new parks and playgrounds. We’re very fortunate to have so many options within a short bike ride or drive. Our favorites are Boca Tierra, Patch Reef, and Spanish River Beach Parks.
Josh Weiner
Marketing & Events
Community Greening
Michele Laskowski
Why is Community Greening important to you?
I value being part of an organization that is focused on engaging local communities in planting trees. Trees are the building blocks to safer, healthier and more connected neighborhoods. Community Greening involves many people in being part of the solution to the environmental challenges we face today. The approach is simple and the benefits last long into the future.
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
As a true plant nerd, I enjoy Mounts Botanical Garden located in West Palm Beach. It is a beautiful collection of plants with lots of interesting, themed gardens and mature trees. Walking around there is surprisingly peaceful given that it is located right next to the airport.
Michele Laskowski
Nursery Manager
Community Greening
Elaine Le
Why is Community Greening important to you?
In an age of an earth marred by climate change and instability, Community Greening is one of the few organizations creating an avenue for local social unity and providing green space in South Florida. You get an extraordinary sense of gratification once you start seeing trees in every corner of Delray from what was previously a landscape of empty grass lots.
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
I enjoy taking small hikes at local nature preserves around my home. My personal favorites being Yamato Scrub and Loxahatchee, which are beautiful places to look for native wildlife and plants.
Elaine Le
Program Coordinator
Community Greening
Stephen Seto
Why is Community Greening important to you?
Community Greening is important to me because it is fun to help put back trees so we can enjoy fresh air and beautiful scenery.
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
One of my favorite Green Spaces to visit is Anchor Park in Delray Beach, where we planted trees.
Stephen Seto
Tree Technician
Community Greening
Kenny Williams
Why is Community Greening important to you?
Community Greening is important to me because not only are we helping the earth, but we are creating unity with our tree giveaways and tree plantings. We have people from all over volunteering for a great cause and getting to know one another.
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
A green place I like to visit is Spanish River Athletic park. The park has a nice jogging area around a lake and has a lot of grass space so people can play all sorts of sports. I currently play in a flag football league there on Sundays.
Kenny Williams
Tree Technician
Community Greening
Ford Derastel
Why is Community Greening important to you?
I enjoy being a tree technician which allows me to be outside, as well as see first hand the growth of all the various trees I’m responsible for establishing.
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
I really enjoy visiting the Sugar Apple Grove, as it was one of the first plantings I ever did, and has grown a lot over the years.
Ford Derastel
Tree Technician
Community Greening
Board Members
Cary Caster
Why is Community Greening important to you?
Today, more than ever, our environment needs our help. Thankfully there are organizations like Community Greening that are not only making an impact on helping to balance our carbon footprint, but they are creating areas where communities can gather and reap the benefit of the trees’ fruits as well as shaded recreational outposts. These areas also help to establish small safe havens for some of our quickly dwindling native flora and fauna. I’m thrilled to now play a more active role in these efforts
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
Raising my family in So Palm Beach County I took my children to Gumbo Limbo State Park so many times. The property stretches from the ocean to the intercoastal, so we never tired of encountering new and interesting things.  With the nature walks and all the wonderful exhibits they have, there’s always so many things to learn and watch for. They also have the turtle rescue tanks that are a treat for the whole family. I never tire of visiting this center.
Cary Caster
BS, LMT, CCA
Owner/Founder
James R. Chard
Landscape and tree canopy are the only things that prevent Delray from being a sun parched expanse of sand. Green plants nourish us, provide homes for wildlife, reduce ambient temperature, prevent stormwater runoff, and filter pollutants from our groundwater. And yet, trees and landscape are under constant attack by developers, local regulations, city governments, utility companies, and invasive species. It takes a committed organization like Community Greening to reverse the trends which are causing the deforestation of our City. With an educated and energized citizenry, we can reclaim the parking lots, prevent clear-cutting of development properties, and protect, nourish, and expand the trees, shrubs, grasses, and vines that can make Delray a tropical paradise.
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
I would start with the Green Cay nature preserve, a tranquil ecosystem that was once a cabbage farm and is now returned to its native state (plus it serves as a tertiary water filtration system). But also include the banks of the E4 canal, the cultivated acres of Mounts Botanical Garden, and the Delray Oaks bird sanctuary.
James R. Chard
Former City Commissioner
City of Delray Beach
Emanuel Dupree Jackson Jr.
Community Greening gives kids from our community a chance to improve their surroundings by planting trees and learning about the positive affects green spaces have on the environment. It also gives our youth a sense of ownership and responsibility within their community. When these kids are working productive adults, 10 years from now, they’ll be able to see the contributions they’ve made to the improvement of their city.
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
Lake Ida because of the great mix of green space and fresh water fishing which always makes me happy. Whether it’s sitting at a picnic table with family while grilling or pulling in a bass or catfish, spending time at Lake Ida helps me get to my peaceful place.
Emanuel Dupree Jackson Jr.
Founding Director
EJS Project, Inc
Jennifer Gomez, Esq.
Why is Community Greening important to you?
Community Greening is important to me because I am a firm believer that when people are well educated on a matter, they will make good decisions. Community Greening sparks a passion for nature through education, tree plantings, and activism. The legacy we build will endure for generations to come.
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
I love our beaches. They provide a rare opportunity to look off to the horizon with nothing but nature, as far as the eye can see.
Jennifer Gomez, Esq.
Trusts & Estates Attorney
Wild Felice & Partners
Cristina Hicks
Why is Community Greening important to you?
Community Greening is important to me because it fills two significant needs in our community: to improve our environment and bring people together to serve the common good. Through the simple yet critical action of planting trees, CG has managed to engage and unite communities, raise environmental awareness, combat carbon and enrich our parks, neighborhoods and downtown areas with the beautiful gift of shade-giving, fruit-bearing, oxygen-supplying trees! I am honored and excited to be a part of CG and look forward to spreading the magic.
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
Do I have to pick just one?! I love all green spaces – especially those with a mature tree canopy that provide lots of shade. It doesn’t get much better than the majestic strangler figs at Spanish River Park, peaceful coastal hammock at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, pond apple trees of Wakodohatchee or the sand pine scrub forest at Blazing Star Nature Preserve. My most favorite place however is under the branches of the sprawling live oak in our front yard which is perfect for swinging, climbing and daydreaming.
Cristina Hicks
Environmental Sustainability Manager
JM Family Enterprises, Inc.
Carolyn M. Pendelton-Parker
Why is Community Greening important to you?
I grew up in Delray Beach and loved the pines, palms and banyan woods. I now utilize artful botany in my design work. Beyond aesthetics, plants CREATE our environment and offer all species a home. Natural ecologic systems and built landscapes enrich our community and the planet. My motto is Plant More Trees!
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Morikami Gardens, Mounts Botanical Garden, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, and Barwick Park to name a few. Always looking for green spaces that take my breath away.
Carolyn M. Pendelton-Parker
Landscape Architect
Steve Pomeranz
Why is Community Greening important to you?
I believe in Community Greening’s mission because it improves our neighborhoods, enriches our environment, and significantly enhances the quality of life for the entire community.
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
Barwick Park is a favorite as well as Delray Oaks.
Steve Pomeranz
Investment Advisor (Retired)
Lt. Daniela Quinn
Why is Community Greening important to you?
CG is important because it brings the community together to learn about our Delray Beach ecosystem and how to take more of a proactive stance in helping sustain it. CG seeks to clean up and bring life back to neglected spaces and it gives everyone a chance to plant a tree, leaving their legacy for generations to come. In an area where new development seems to be at the forefront, CG allows us to be reminded of the history of our natural habitat and bring back some native plants to our the community to keep it green and beautiful.
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
The Intercoastal Park in Boynton Beach is a beautiful green space, I can go hang out and feel the breeze while enjoying watching the boats.
Lt. Daniela Quinn
Lieutenant
Delray Beach Police
Mary Riedel
Why is Community Greening important to you?
Community Greening is offering me a special opportunity to learn more about environmental & climate change issues, while making improvements to my home community of Delray Beach and South Florida in general.
I am impressed by the community development aspect, empowering those living in our community to affect social change, and I really love the youth development and training  program (YTT).
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
I would like to see more and learn more about the Everglades and how that affects Palm Beach County.
Mary Riedel
Former President/CEO
Women in Distress of Broward County, Inc.
Joseph Scondotto
Why is Community Greening important to you?
I really enjoy working with Mark and Matt and having participated in several tree plantings. Everyone involved had a great outdoors experience and helped often neglected parts of our community become green again.
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
I love to go for walks at Green Cay Nature Center in Boynton Beach. The elevated boardwalk takes you through various habitats and provides a wonderful and peaceful way to enjoy nature.
Joseph Scondotto
VP/Banking Center Manager
Comerica Bank
Linda Walker
Why is Community Greening important to you?
Community Greening is important to me because it is putting back a tree canopy in the community that developers and city governments have discarded and deemed unimportant. While Community Greening is helping the environment by replacing this vital resource, they engage the community and educate them about the importance of restoring and maintaining green space.
Where is a Green Space in Palm Beach County you like to visit?
I love the beaches; Palm Beach County has done a great job of keeping green space connected to the public beaches. Gumbo Limbo is another favorite.
Linda Walker, CPA
Managing Director
TD Bank
Mission & Vision Statements
Community Greening is a collective effort to improve our environment for people and nature.
We are an engaged community creating sustainable green spaces and a vibrant tree canopy to equitably strengthen our environment, economy, society, and health.
Why We are Doing it
We believe communities need to be proactive to respond to the ecological and human risks associated with climate change. Biodiversity loss, flooding and extreme heat are serious concerns that are exacerbated without trees. Promoting, planting, and protecting green space contributes to a resilient and sustainable community that recognizes the vital importance of a healthy balance between people and nature.
Trees have enormous long-term benefits for our environment. They clean our air and water, reduce energy costs, increase property values, improve health and well-being, and generate business.
Goals
Tree Planting
Bring people together to plant trees and landscapes that create a healthy, sustainable environment.
Greenspaces
Create, connect, and maintain sustainable and resilient greenspaces that increase the quality of life, civic engagement, and community pride.
Education
Educate communities about the vital importance of trees and inspire people to become stewards of our green environment.
Healthy Organization
Build a healthy organization which makes a significant, quantifiable, and observable impact on green spaces and trees in our communities.