Making the world greener

Tammara Norman is not one to talk about herself, so recognition of her community work in Petaluma, which brought over $50,000 back into the local economy, is a new experience for her.

Norman, 40, is a landscape architect who has donated 400 hours of community service, with a philosophy to do good on this Earth. She has served on the tree advisory committee for three years.

Yet, this community activist was most inspired by winning the San Diego Crew Classic, a rowing competition, in a women’s lightweight eight.

“At one point in my life I would get up very early, in the cold and dark, to row in both college and later in Marin,” Norman said.

She added that one of the craziest things she has ever done was quitting her job to travel to Peru.

“(It was) definitely a leap, but it led to many wonderful things including meeting my husband,” she said. “I kinda like taking a risk.”

Norman has lived in Petaluma for 10 years. She was born in San Francisco and grew up in Modesto. She graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1992 with a degree in landscape architecture.

“I am interested not just in natural environment, but also urban environment and how they interface,” Norman said.

She received a certificate of appreciation from Petalu-ma’s Parks and Recreation Committee for work in organizing the “150 Trees for 150 Years: Celebrating Peta-luma’s Sesquicentennial” program. The tree planting project made it possible to plant 150 trees in Petaluma. The idea for the project began in 2007.

The “150 Trees for 150 Years” project received a grant of $128,000 from the state through close work with the Department of Forestry and Fire. Norman, who wrote the grant, said that the issue of street trees in Petaluma was a concern to the department, and that a number of ideas were discussed with representatives.

Norman said that the idea for the planting event surfaced when some trees on West Street were cut down by an adjacent property owner. There were no incentives available to entice or assist home owners to plant street trees.

“It raised questions in my mind on who’s responsible for street trees,” she said. “It was more like a prompting — what needs to be done? How can I help? I would like society as a whole to be more aware of the environment. When trees are that large, they can’t be replaced.”

The Oct. 18 “150 Trees for 150 Years” event saw more than 150 trees planted, with every tree being donated. The planting crews were completely volunteer based. To be considered to receive a tree, residents had to submit an application. Response was great, according to Norman. Once the word was out, the number of residents requesting trees to plant exceeded the number of trees available.

Members of the Moose Lodge were among the volunteers who have continued to beautify the neighborhood with landscaping improvements.

“Having 350 people throughout town, all focused on the same event at the same time, working to improve and beautify our community — now that’s inspiring!” Norman said. “It brought such inspiring energy. It’s a nice reminder of community.”

“Transcending the ordinary” inspires Norman, who aims to work to a better self and a better community.

“There is an opportunity to make a difference,” she said. “If I could change anything about our society, I would like people to think more about where they are and how they fit in the greater scheme of things.”

Norman’s cause for the trees isn’t finished. She continues to monitor the trees’ health, including replacements for vandalized trees.

(Contact Cheyenne Kent at argus@arguscourier.com)