PRESS RELEASE: San Francisco Plants Signature Trees to Honor Two Neighborhood Leaders 3/7/16

For immediate release: March 7, 2016

Contact: Rachel Gordon, 415-554-6045

SAN FRANCISCO PLANTS SIGNATURE TREES TO HONOR TWO NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS

Irene Crescio and Dr. Espanola Jackson celebrated for lifelong service to their communities

San Francisco, CA – The City will plant its annual Arbor Day signature trees this week in honor of two southeast neighborhood community leaders who passed away this year: Irene Crescio and Dr. Espanola Jackson.  

Each year for Arbor Day, San Francisco Public Works plants signature trees dedicated to community leaders and advocates. Past honorees include the iconic Brown twins, Nelson Mandela, Sandra Cuadra, Wangari Maathai, Charlie Starbuck, Rosa Parks, Cesar Chavez, Ruth Asawa, Dr. Ellen Wolf and Dana Woldow.

Irene Crescio, a lifelong resident of the Portola District, died Jan. 26. Ms. Crescio was a tenacious advocate for her neighborhood, working into her 80s as a board member for the Portola Neighborhood Association.  Her dedication and welcoming demeanor brought together neighbors and won the support of City officials to better the Portola community. She was instrumental in the Portola Garden Tour, the building of the new branch library and efforts to beautify San Bruno Avenue.  

A drought-tolerant cork oak tree will be planted in the Mansell Street median, a gateway to the Portola neighborhood, in Ms. Crescio’s honor.

• What: Tree planted in honor of Irene Crescio
• When: 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 8
• Where: Mansell Street near University Street (north side of median strip)
• Photo opportunity: Crane lowering tree into the ground

Dr. Espanola Jackson, a longtime Bayview-Hunters Point resident and community activist with four decades of experience dealing with environmental, social and economic justice issues, died Jan. 24 in her Bayview home.

In recognition of Dr. Jackson’s Oholone heritage, a coast live oak tree will be planted in the Evans Avenue median. Coast live oaks are native to the same general area as the Ohlone.

• What: Tree planted in honor of Dr. Espanola Jackson
• When: 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 10
• Where: Evans Avenue median near the main U.S. Post Office
• Photo opportunity: Crane lowering tree into the ground

“I knew both Irene and Espanola well, and they represented the true meaning of community,” said Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru. “The trees we’re planting in their honor will serve as living tributes to their great work and inspire future generations to get involved and make a difference.”

The signature tree planting events are not the City’s only planned Arbor Day celebrations. On Saturday, March 19, San Francisco Public Works will welcome volunteers to our annual Community Clean Team Arbor Day volunteer event, where we will plant 50-plus trees, landscape medians, paint out graffiti and participate in other projects to spruce up District 3. A highlight of the event will be the Eco-Fair, featuring free, family-fun activities that include bucket-truck rides, planter-box building, a chance to feed and pet goats, music, games and much more!

About San Francisco Public Works: The 24/7 City agency cleans and resurfaces streets; plants and nurtures City-maintained street trees; designs, constructs and maintains City-owned facilities; inspects streets and sidewalks; builds curb ramps; eradicates graffiti; partners with neighborhoods; trains people for jobs; greens the right of way; and educates our communities.

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