The Our-Trees Initiative
Events
Tree stories become something different when people gather around them. TOUTI events bring the work of our nodes into communities through planting, art, storytelling, learning, and shared action.
Oct 6–7 · White Mesa
Oct 17 · Edmonds
Oct 24 · OremIndigenous Communities Node
October 6–7 · White Mesa, Utah
Bear Dance Grounds Tree Planting
Planting a permanent circle of juniper trees.
Join the White Mesa community to plant juniper trees around the Bear Dance Grounds, building toward a permanent living circle of trees. The first 20 local volunteer participants will receive a free tree to take home.
October 6 at 1:00 PM · October 7 at 9:00 AM
White Mesa Bear Dance Grounds
A community planting focused on a lasting circle of living trees.
Take a tree home and extend the planting beyond the grounds.
Bears Ears · southeastern Utah.jpg)
Utah juniper
Juniper above Shafer CanyonElementary Education Node
Saturday, October 17 · Edmonds, Washington
Esperanza Speaks
Growing Hope Through Art & Action
A beloved Douglas-fir once stood on the grounds of Spruce Elementary. Nobody is certain why she was cut down. That open question became a year-long investigation, and Esperanza Speaks is where that inquiry becomes a gathering.
4:00–6:30 PM
Graphite Art Center · 202 Main Street · Edmonds, WA 98020
Student Art
A visual study of human patterns, forest histories, and ecological care.
Storytelling
Students share their families’ tree stories in their own words and voices.
Co-Creation
Visitors add their own contributions to a growing community artwork.
With special guests
Dr. Nalini Nadkarni · National Geographic Forest Ecologist · Rena Priest · Poet, Lhaq’temish Nation · Kiliii Yüyan · National Geographic Photographer
Reading a tree through its rings
Observation becomes inquiry
Tree Protection Club in the fieldFaith-Based Node
Keynote · Dr. Nalini NadkarniPart of The Our-Trees Initiative
The Fall Forum brings the Faith-Based Node into a public evening of art, writing, ideas, and conversation centered on trees and stewardship.
Saturday, October 24 · Orem, Utah
Every Good Tree
Latter-day Saint Earth Stewardship Fall Forum 2026
An evening of art, ideas, and conversation exploring the spiritual, cultural, and ecological significance of trees, with a special focus on their place in Latter-day Saint theology and history.
Art exhibit opens at 6:30 PM · Program 7:00–9:00 PM
Utah Valley University · Clarke Building, Rooms 510–511 · Orem, Utah
Art + Writing
Creative work explores trees, stewardship, faith, culture, and our relationship with the natural world.
Keynote + Ideas
Dr. Nalini Nadkarni will keynote an evening connecting tree ecology with storytelling and stewardship.
Choose How to Attend
General admission is free. A paid dinner option includes a meal with the LDSES board and reserved seating.
Keynote speaker
Dr. Nalini Nadkarni · Tree ecologist · National Geographic Explorer · TOUTI Director