Shade Tree Commission
The Shade Tree Commission is a quasi-governmental entity created by Pittsburgh ordinance Title Four, Article XIII, Chapter 487 . Comprised of Mayor-appointed and City Council-approved volunteers, the Commission is funded through the Outdoor Advertising Excise Tax and funds from developers unable to meet street tree requirements (Alternative Compliance funds
The Shade Tree Commission approves recommendations to the Mayor’s office and City Council to expend funds from the Shade Tree Trust Fund to advance urban forestry initiatives.
In recognition of the value of Pittsburgh's urban trees as one of our city's greatest assets, Commissioners are tasked with making recommendations to City Government to restore and maintain the city's tree population. The Commission is dedicated to providing policy makers, City Departments, and the general public with accurate and objective information on policy issues affecting the urban forest.
Governing Documents
Members
Fifteen members comprise this Commission:
- All appointed by Mayor; confirmed by City Council
- 1 from Forestry Division of Public Works Department
- 1 from DPW with engineering/construction background
- 1 from Department of City Planning
- 1 from Mayor’s Office
- 1 from Urban Redevelopment Authority
- 1 from an electric utility
- The rest from various “educational institutions, community-based organizations, business organizations, and environmental organizations”
- Majority of members must be City residents.
| Members | Fulfillment (from Shade Tree Commission founding legislation in City Code ) | Neighborhood | Term expires (from PittsburghPa.gov/LIC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kristen (Spirl) Boucher - Chair | University - Chatham University Arboretum | Carrick | 7/31/2025 |
| Jayme Holloway | Community | West End | 3/31/2025 |
| Lisa Ceoffe | City of Pittsburgh - Department of Public Works, Forestry Division | Stanton Heights | 5/1/2023 |
| Andrea Ketzel | City of Pittsburgh - Department of Public Works | Squirrel Hill South | 7/31/2025 |
| Vacant | City of Pittsburgh - Mayor's office | Polish Hill | |
| James Barry | Electric Utility - Duquesne Light | Oakdale | 3/31/2025 |
| Roy Blankenship | Community | Knoxville | 3/31/2023 |
| Mary Savage | Community | Homewood South | 5/1/2023 |
| Rebecca Kiernan | City of Pittsburgh - Planning | Greenfield | 5/31/2025 |
| James J. Stitt | Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority | East Allegheny | 5/1/2023 |
| Matt Erb | Organization - Tree Pittsburgh | Central Lawrenceville | 5/1/2023 |
| Brian Wolyniak | Penn State Urban Extension | Bloomfield | 3/31/2025 |
| Nazin Bagherynejad | Urban Redevelopment Authority | Squirrel Hill North | 2/8/2025 |
| Raqueeb Bey | Community | Lower Hill | 5/1/2023 |
Mission Statement
“The Pittsburgh Shade Tree Commission works to ensure the many social, economic, environmental and human health benefits of trees for current and future residents through the planting, protection and preservation of as many trees as possible within the City on public and private property.”
