Member Spotlight: Lowell Wyse

Tell us how you/the venture got started. What compelled you to create/join it?

Tacoma Tree Foundation was started as a response to community interest in growing the tree canopy across the Greater Tacoma area. Tacoma has the lowest tree coverage of any city in Western Washington, and we are trying to change that!

Who are your customers/ community and how do they find you? What lessons have you learned building a customer base /community?

As a nonprofit, our "customers" are mostly residents of Pierce County. We host educational events that are open to the public, and we often give trees away for people to plant at home.

Instagram has been a big way to grow our audience because everyone loves viewing beautiful nature content!

Tell us about one of the biggest obstacles you have faced in your work and how you overcame it:

My biggest obstacle personally has been making the transition from academia to nonprofit work.

I was a university instructor and professor for about a decade before making the switch.

The cultures are very different, but I'm loving the new environment.

Where do you see the work/venture five years from now?

Right now TTF is basically in startup mode, expanding a lot and identifying new places to plant trees and build community! I envision us having a larger staff and a robust way to get people involved in tree planting and advocacy around the Tacoma region.

What book has inspired you the most? (OR What is your favorite book?)

Aside from the one I wrote (sorry, couldn't help it!), the book that has inspired me most is PrairyErth: A Deep Map, by William Least Heat-Moon. This book is probably not for everyone, but it challenged me to think about the meaning of place in our everyday lives and about the impact that our actions have on where we live.

What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?

I love being active, doing things like hiking, biking, and surfing. Washington is an under-rated surf state.

love heading up to the Port Angeles area to surf the winter swells.

What do you love about Tacoma?

So many things! I think the thing that stands out beyond the obvious is the sense of pride in this community.

People here really care about this place, and it has a unique history that adds to the appeal.

I also love the size and the location. I grew up on a farm in Michigan, and Tacoma just feels like the right size for me.

What made you choose Union Club? What has your experience been like and who would you recommend it for?

I lucked into the Union Club because my predecessor at TTF, Sarah Low, was a member and offered a membership to me when I joined the staff. I love working here mostly because live downtown and I'm able to bike, walk, or take transit to get here. It's also a great place to have meetings with views of the bay and the mountain!

Where can people go to support your business/organization or buy your product (website, store, email, phone#?)

Check out www.tacomatreefoundation.org to learn all about our education and tree planting programs, as well as upcoming events. Planting season is October-March, and we expect to have several opportunities for folks to get their hands in the dirt and help us make Tacoma an even greener and more beautiful place to live.

Support in any form is super appreciated, including sponsorships from local businesses!

And you can reach me personally at Lowell TacomaTreeFoundation.org.