Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has appointed Rachel Malarich to the newly created position of City Forest Officer – with the primary responsibility of overseeing the growth of Los Angeles’ urban forest. Malarich is a Certified Arborist and is Tree Risk Assessment Qualified by the International Society of Arboriculture.
Mayor Garcetti created the post of City Forest Officer within the Board of Public Works to help implement the urban forestry goals outlined in L.A.’s Green New Deal. These goals include planting 90,000 trees by 2021 and increasing tree canopy by at least 50 percent by 2028.
“Rachel has the vision, experience, and expertise necessary to lead the work of lining our streets with more trees and building a greener tomorrow,” said mayor Garcetti. “Every tree we plant can help stem the tide of the climate crisis, and when we expand our urban forest, we can sow the seeds of a healthier, more sustainable future for communities across our city.”
Malarich will also be responsible for spearheading the development of a citywide Urban Forest Management Plan and ensuring all of the city’s departments – including the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Urban Forestry Division of the Bureau of Street Services and the Department of Water and Power – use an integrated approach to achieve a shared vision for L.A.’s urban forest.
“Trees do more than contribute to the look and feel of our neighborhoods — they are a key tool to protect vulnerable populations, improve public health, and enhance community well-being for all Angelenos,” said Malarich. “I am honored to serve our great city under the Mayor’s leadership to help manage and expand our urban forest and prepare Los Angeles to confront the rising crisis of climate change.”