Volunteer Spotlight: Sandra Ciappa and the Certified TreeKeeper Program
Trees Atlanta’s longest running program is TreeKeepers, a program that trains volunteers to become a leader for small groups at our projects. TreeKeepers work alongside staff coordinators, but some TreeKeepers advance to organizing and leading their own community projects.
The program consists of a blend of classroom and hands-on tree education taken over the course of consecutive Saturday. In this class you will cover: tree ID, tree selection and care, tree diseases and invasive plants, proper pruning techniques, benefits of trees, and project leadership skills.
As we prepare for the next Certified TreeKeeper Training Program in 20216, we’re excited to spotlight Sandra and her journey to becoming a Trees Atlanta Certified TreeKeeper.
Sandra’s TreeKeeper Journey
Sandra first connected with Trees Atlanta in June 2023, drawn to the organization’s mission and community. But it wasn’t until the summer of 2025 that she took the leap into the TreeKeeper course.
At crossroads in her career, Sandra was exploring how to deepen her connection to causes she cared about. “When I reached out to Susan about getting more involved with community efforts, she suggested I check out the TreeKeeper program, and I’m so glad she did! It helped open a lot of doors into my curiosity, learner’s mindset and overall care for environmental sustainability and conservation. It was just where I needed to be last summer.”
Over seven weeks, Sandra immersed herself in a range of topics, but one experience stood out above the rest: observing and identifying Atlanta’s native trees in the field. Learning about the city’s place in the Piedmont region gave her a new lens on the landscape. “It fascinated me to learn about the history of the land in relation to the history of Atlanta. It was cool, it made me feel more connected to the land here.”
The program wasn’t without its challenges. The physics behind Atlanta’s urban heat island and tree canopy cooling effect pushed Sandra to think in new ways. And yet, as is often the case with the topics that stretch us, it became her favorite subject in the whole course.
Sandra found the guest speakers especially valuable. They were well-versed in their topics, made information easy to digest, and were open to all questions. Through the program, she also discovered something she hadn’t anticipated: a whole network of Atlanta professionals who care deeply about the environment and want to bring others along with them. Each participant also receives a tree ID guide, which Sandra has since used to lead tree identification sessions on her own. “Think of it as a beginners course on trees. You’ll have so much fun!”
After completing the coursework, participants log 24 hours of volunteer service to earn their Certified TreeKeeper designation. For Sandra, those hours opened yet another door. She went on the become a Certified Forest Bathing Guide, trained to help other reconnect with themselves through the healing presence of trees.
Sandra’s advice to anyone on the fence? “It’s worth it— if you’re even just thinking about signing up for the program, do it. You’ll feel really welcomed and encouraged to learn, and you’ll also be able to volunteer and get involved after the program if you hadn’t already. Trees Atlanta is the best and full of people who really care about trees!”
“At tabling events, Sandra used what she learned in TreeKeepers to help share Trees Atlanta’s work with others. Her welcoming demeanor, combined with her passion for our urban forest makes her a great Project Ambassador on Saturdays and an overall ambassador for our mission.” —Susan Pierce Cunningham, Associate Director of Volunteer Services
About the TreeKeeper
Sandra has been volunteering with Trees Atlanta since June 2023, and is now a Certified TreeKeeper through Trees Atlanta’s TreeKeeper program. She’s a loyal advocate for the environment, and is also a Certified Forest Bathing Guide, training in helping other reconnect with their inner light, through the help of the forest. In the near future, she aspires to use her 8 years of strategic marketing experience to help further an environmental sustainability cause, especially those focused on lowering carbon emissions and/or conserving forests.
Published: May 27, 2026
