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Forest ReLeaf of Missouri’s mission is to enrich communities by growing and planting trees through the power of people and partnerships.

This effort supports our vision of a more resilient tree canopy in Missouri’s communities that supports healthy people, healthy habitats and a healthy planet.

Meet Our Staff

Meridith McAvoy Perkins

Executive Director​

Full Bio

Jess Underwood

Finance & Operations Director

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Emily Halpin

Office Manager

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Billy Haag​

Forestry Manager​

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Elijah Belz

Field Operations Coordinator

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De'Nonna Jones

Stewardship Specialist

Jake Roeckle​

Nursery Manager​

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Dan Billman

Nursery Specialist

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Ellen Sulser ​

Engagement & Volunteer Manager

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Rebecca Hankins​

Partnership Manager

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Kelly Hicks-Holloway

Community Conservation Coordinator

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Glore Ruiz

Engagement Specialist

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De'Nonna Jones

Stewardship Specialist

Michael Barash

Urban Forestry Fellow

Michael Barash

Urban Forestry Fellow

Board of Trustees

Jason Pratte,  President
Forestry Manager, St. Louis County Parks

Vice President
Open Position

John Moller, Treasurer; Finance Committee Chair
Retired Financial Advisor

Jesse Stuart, Secretary; Marketing and Development Committee Chair
LuLu Restaurant Group

Tim Brunsman, Operations Committee Chair
Parks and Recreation Manager, Richmond Heights

Alan Jankowski
Forestry Commissioner, City of St. Louis

Almetta Jordan
Natural Resources Manager, Missouri State Parks

Danny Moncheski, Education Committee Chair
Account Executive, Site One Landscape

 

Aisha Muhammad, Ex Officio
Community Forester, Missouri Department of Conservation

Sean Pluta, Governance Committee Chair
Associate, Polsinelli

George Satkowski
Assistant Vice President, Enterprise

Steve Taff, Outreach and Education Committee Chair
OT Professor/Scholars Program Director, Washington University

Kevin Atkins
Environmental Scientist, Ameren

Scott Weitzel
Vice President, Regulatory & Governmental Affairs, Spire

Ava Cisse
Business Development Associate, Square

Annual Report

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Forest ReLeaf is dedicated to planting and growing a resilient tree canopy across Missouri, to support healthy people, healthy habitats, and a healthy planet.

We connect, educate, and empower individuals and communities.

We champion the value of trees.

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CONTACT US

Phone: (314) 533-5323
Email: info@moreleaf.org

Nursery and Arboretum, in Creve Coeur Park:
2194 Creve Coeur Mill
St. Louis, MO 63146

Office and Mailing Address:
4642 Shenandoah Ave
St. Louis, MO 63110

Meridith McAvoy Perkins
Executive Director

For the past 20 years, Meridith McAvoy Perkins has dedicated her career to promoting healthy urban forestry management, connecting people to trees in ways that transform both landscapes and lives. She has previously served in the public sector as the Urban & Community Forestry Coordinator for Utah’s Division of Forestry, and in the private sector as a principal consultant for Davey Resource Group, Inc. Meridith has the technical skills to assess tree risk, develop urban forestry plans, and offer expert witness testimony but her favorite thing is sharing the amazing power of trees with others. In her current role as the Executive Director of Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Meridith advocates for tree planting and forest conservation across the urban, rural, and wild landscapes. Meridith has a degree in Forestry from the University of Missouri-Columbia, is an ISA Certified Arborist, and is an adjunct instructor at Meramec Community College.

Jess Underwood
Finance & Operations Director

After 17 years in the non-profit and public sector, Jess remains committed to mission-driven work that tackles the challenges facing our communities. Their career began with a year of service as an Americorps St. Louis Emergency Response team member, responding to natural disasters and performing conservation projects. That foundation of service led to roles supporting the arts, affordable housing, mental health, and grassroots housing advocacy in St. Louis. During this journey Jess has worked to center the value “nothing about us, without us.” They do their best to ensure that the voices of people who have been marginalized guide the strategy and execution of work that honors their lived experiences. When they aren’t working, Jess is out paddling, hiking, working in their garden, or building something.

Emily Halpin
Office Manager

Emily Halpin keeps the office running smoothly and provides administrative support for the team. With a degree in Business Administration and Finance from University of Missouri, Kansas City and a background in contract administration, project management, and human resources, Emily enables the Forest Releaf staff to thrive.

Billy Haag
Forestry Manager

Billy Haag joined Forest ReLeaf in the spring of 2022. He received his Masters degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism from the University of Missouri. He has worked in a variety of park settings ranging from Kings Canyon National Park, Don Robinson State Park, and most recently with Forest Park Forever. All of which have allowed him to grow a strong passion for native ecosystems and connecting people to their local natural resources and green spaces.

Elijah Belz

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Jake Roeckle
Nursery Manager

Jake Roeckle joined the Forest ReLeaf team at the end of 2021. He has a Bachelors in Environmental Science from Southeast Missouri State University and a Horticulture Certificate of Proficiency from STLCC – Meramec. He has been in the horticulture industry for over 12 years, with more than half of that at Kirkwood Gardens, a retail and wholesale nursery in St. Louis County. Jake’s passion for growing plants, love of the outdoors, and nursery experience help him in the Nursery Manager role where he oversees the growing of quality trees and shrubs and assists with volunteer operations.

Dan Billman
Nursery Specialist

With 35 years in green industry wholesale and retail service, nursery production research, and teaching at Meramec Community College, Dan Billman brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Forest ReLeaf’s team. Additionally, Dan is an ISA certified arborist who loves to connect people to trees through guided tree walks and educational experiences. As the Nursery Specialist, Dan helps keep things running at the nursery and supports educational programming for the Forestkeepers and TreeKeepers Networks as well as regular volunteers, seasonal staff, and project participants.
 

Ellen Sulser
Volunteer Coordinator

Ellen joined the Forest ReLeaf team in fall 2021. She graduated Smith College with a Bachelors in Environmental Science and Policy and a deep passion for connecting people with the places around them. Ellen has previously worked with the USDA Forest Service conserving wilderness areas across the country. She’s excited to take the lessons learned in community engagement and forestry back to the place she grew up. Ellen helps connect Forest ReLeaf volunteers to meaningful experiences that support both individual and organization goals.

Rebecca Hankins
Partnerships Manager

After spending 16 years in the outdoor industry, Rebecca shifted her focus from outdoor recreation to environmental stewardship. She earned a Certificate of Proficiency in Horticulture at St. Louis Community College – Meramec. She has spent the last 3 years gaining experience in various organizations including Missouri Botanical Garden, Urban Harvest and DTLS Studio. She is passionate about plants and what they teach us about resiliency, diversity, partnership, and community. Rebecca will use her skills to grow Forest ReLeaf’s mission impact and advocate for social and environmental justice.

Kelly Hicks-Holloway
Environmental Justice Lead

Pivoting from her nearly 20-year career in the hair care industry as a salon owner and producer of holistic hair, body, and wellness supplies, Kelly brings her passion for sustainability and equitable resources to the Environmental Justice Lead role here at Forest ReLeaf. With certifications in medicinal herbalism, foraging, urban growing, and urban farming, she demonstrates her passion for environmentalism and biophilia. She leverages her entrepreneur and leadership skills, influence as a community organizer, and duties as a PTO Mom, board member, and wife to offer unheard voices “a seat at the table.” Leading the Treesilience program for Forest ReLeaf, Kelly hopes to aid in mitigating “urban heat island effect” while providing community resources centered on biodiversity, preservation, and inclusivity. 

Glore Ruiz
Equity and Engagement Specialist

Glore Ruiz is a SLU Environmental Studies student and a latina woman. Growing up in Honduras and rural Missouri allowed her to immerse herself in nature. My childhood was spent in my father’s favorite mountains and I spent most of high school working at a nearby state park. Seeing people find their passion and place in nature is truly amazing, and with Forest Releaf, she has been able to learn so much about environmental injustice and what we can do to help. Urban communities deserve their share of nature therapy and I believe creating that environment is incredibly valuable. She looks forward to graduating in fall 2023 and continuing in this important work.