Arbor Day Celebration with the Dixie Fire Canopy Project – April 26, 2025
When the Dixie Fire tore through Plumas County in 2021, it left behind more than blackened forest. It leveled entire communities, including the historic town of Greenville, and changed the lives of thousands. But in the Sierra, people live close to the land — and they know the delicate balance between its beauty and its fury.
We have admired the spirit of Greenville throughout this tragedy. Greenville, from day one, refused to be defined by what was lost. Instead, this mountain community leaned into its roots, rallying around pop-up businesses, volunteer-driven projects, and grassroots conservation efforts to reclaim what fire tried to erase.
One of the brightest symbols of that spirit is the Dixie Fire Canopy Project — a locally-led reforestation effort founded in 2023 by Michaela Trammell. What began as a dream to replant trees has grown into a full-scale movement of hope and ecological healing.
“Since we started, we’ve planted over 655 trees and 380 shrubs,” Trammell shares. “But we’re just getting started. The land needs more — and so do the people who call it home.”
Backed by grants from the Workforce Alliance, State Farm, the Arbor Day Foundation, and a powerful local fundraising push through the Almanor Foundation, the Canopy Project has already raised nearly $300,000 in its first year. Their long-term vision includes a community nursery, a free tree program for homeowners rebuilding within the burn scar, and even a for-profit nursery to support economic resilience in the region.
But perhaps even more powerful than the numbers is the sense of purpose this project brings to Greenville — and the role it invites us all to play in restoring the Northern Sierra’s natural heritage.
Join the Replanting Movement this Arbor Day
On April 26, 2025, the Canopy Project will host an Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Giveaway at The Spot in downtown Greenville — a hub of community energy in the heart of town.
The event will run from noon to 4:00 p.m. (or until supplies run out) and will include:
- A free tree giveaway of urban trees and conifer saplings
- Community connection, fundraising, and conservation education
- Trees supplied in partnership with The Feather River Resource Conservation District, Sierra Pacific Industries, and The Sugar Pine Foundation
“Every tree we give away is a chance to rebuild not just the forest, but our future,” says Trammell.
Whether you come to plant, donate, or just listen to the stories of recovery — you’ll be part of something meaningful. Reforestation here isn’t just environmental — it’s emotional, cultural, and deeply human.
Why Greenville Matters to the Sierra
At Sierra Rec Magazine, we believe every corner of the Sierra matters. And Greenville is a treasure — a town filled with mountain character, resilience, and the kind of local spirit that makes exploring the Sierra special.
As tourism slowly returns to this part of the Northern Sierra, we encourage readers to:
- Support locally-owned businesses rebuilding in Greenville
- Volunteer or donate to conservation efforts like the Canopy Project
- Keep Plumas County on your radar for future road trips and recreation
By participating in events like this Arbor Day celebration, you’re not just planting a tree — you’re planting a future.
💚 How to Get Involved
📅 Arbor Day Celebration & Tree Giveaway
📍 The Spot, Greenville, CA
🕛 April 26, 2025 – Noon to 4:00 PM (or until trees run out)
🌐 Learn more or donate:
https://almanorfoundation.org/dixie-fire-canopy-project-fund/
📧 Contact: dixiefirecanopyproject2021@gmail.com
