Team

Alli Preble began volunteering with Openlands as a TreeKeeper in 2017 and joined the organization in early 2019 as the Assistant Forestry Crew Leader. She helps lead the Forestry Trainees in field maintenance and education, applying skills and experience from previous positions in urban forestry, urban soils, and sustainability. Alli received her B.A. in Environmental Studies with minors in American Sign Language and studio art from DePaul University and is currently there working on a M.S. in Environmental Science.

Kaitlyn Pike is a graduate student in DePaul's Environmental Science program, where her thesis project aims to explore the relationship between tree preservation and residential redevelopment. Projects that she has previously been a part of include exploring the use of Google Street View as a forestry management tool, surveying the condition of contractor-planted street trees, and collecting data on the perceptions, knowledge, and efficacy of tree-planting volunteers. Kaitlyn's research interests revolve around the perceptions and values that people have of urban greenspaces, and how to best protect and manage trees in an increasingly urbanized world. Her favorite tree is the white oak (Quecus alba).

Tom Ebeling joined Openlands in 2019 as the Community Arborist. As Community Arborist, Tom works to facilitate the community tree planting grants, helps coordinate tree maintenance and stewardship with TreeKeepers and other volunteers and participates in the community outreach and education programs offered by Openlands. He is an ISA Certified Arborist with a background in urban & community forestry and enjoys public engagement. Before coming to Openlands, he was a community forester for Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, a non-profit in St. Louis where he coordinated community tree planting projects, assisted in the management and operation of a community assisted nursery and engage in public outreach and education. A recent transplant to Chicago, he likes to spend time exploring the city's public green space, water ways, art scene and neighborhoods. Tom earned his B.S. in Urban Forestry and a Minor in Plant Sciences from the University of Missouri, Columbia. He is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist (MW-5804A).