COLUMBUS TREE SUBCOMMISSION
The Columbus Tree Subcommission advises the Recreation and Parks Commission, per City Code 912.23. It is composed of nine members; seven are appointed by the Mayor with approval of Columbus City Council. The other two members are the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department Director and the City Forester, serving as ex-officio members. Members serve five years without compensation.
The duties of the Columbus Tree Subcommission shall be as follows:
To study the problems and determine the needs of the City of Columbus in connection with its tree planting program.
To recommend to the Recreation and Parks Commission the type and kinds of trees to be planted in parks, public places and along city streets.
To review and recommend to the recreation and Parks Commission urban forestry-related city code and policies.
Meet Our Commissioners
Tim Ascher
Tim Ascher holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University and a Master of Science from The Ohio State University’s School of Environment and Natural Resources. He is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist and has both the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), as well as the Tree and Plant Appraisal Qualification (TPAQ). Tim has been a working arborist in Columbus for the past 15 years, and he is also the director of The Urban Tree Project, which is a local non-for-profit dedicated to increasing urban canopy in central Ohio.
Steve Cothrel
Steve Cothrel holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in natural resources management from The Ohio State University. He has more than 40 years of experience as an urban forester and/or parks superintendent with state and municipal governments. He is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist and urban forest professional. He is also a past adjunct instructor of arboriculture at Columbus State Community College. Steve serves on two municipal tree commissions and does considerable volunteer work with several nonprofits and professional organizations. He was awarded Honorary Life Membership in both ISA and the Urban and Community Forestry Society (UCFS) and he is a past president of UCFS.
Shelly Douglas
Shelly Douglas is a proud alumna of The Ohio State University’s School of Environment and Natural Resources and is dedicated to conservation in central Ohio. She holds a Bachelor of Science in environmental policy and decision making, with a focus on nonprofit management and environmental justice. She currently works full-time as the executive director of Green Columbus, a sustainability-focused nonprofit striving to activate volunteer engagement, grow equitable tree canopy coverage, and foster resilient communities. Over the past three years with the organization, Shelly has facilitated the distribution and planting of over 220,000 native seedlings trees for community restoration projects and over 600 balled and burlapped trees for Columbus City Schools campuses. She also manages the Linden Tree Nursery, a volunteer-driven community garden, which grows and provides 3,000 three-gallon native trees for free to the Columbus community annually through neighborhood giveaways.
Shelly represents Green Columbus in various roles, including chair of the Central Ohio Watershed Council, member of the GreenSpot Advisory Board, collaborator on Columbus Climate Action Plan initiatives and organizer of the Columbus Tree Coalition.
Jordan Henderson
Jordan currently serves as the director of Multifamily and Special Projects for Healthy Homes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing in several Columbus neighborhoods. In this role, he oversees a portfolio of multifamily development projects, primarily financed through Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). His responsibilities include identifying and evaluating the feasibility of new affordable housing sites, as well as managing the strategic partnerships essential to advancing these developments. Jordan began his tenure with Healthy Homes in 2017 as acquisition coordinator.
Before joining Healthy Homes, Jordan was employed by the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH), where he supported LIHTC development projects across Ohio and the broader region. During his time at OCCH, he earned a Master of City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University. Prior to relocating to Ohio, he spent a year teaching third-grade English in Thailand. A native of Chicago, Jordan devoted six years following his undergraduate studies to assisting the city’s most vulnerable residents successfully transition from homelessness to permanent supportive housing.
Jordan also serves on the Boards of Columbus Housing Enterprise and Renew Homes Ohio, two nonprofit organizations committed to addressing housing affordability and broader community development challenges.
Julie Predieri
Julie Predieri graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry and wildlife. She has five years of experience in urban forestry with both the City of Gahanna and the City of Dublin. Julie also has two years of experience in ecological restoration with Dawes Arboretum, and she spent a month conducting forestry research in Nanning, Guangxi, China. Julie is currently the city forester with the City of Gahanna, and she is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist and holds a commercial pesticide license through the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA). She has served on the Ohio Department of Natural (ODNR) Division of Forestry’s Urban Forestry Advisory Committee since 2020. Julie was born and raised near Columbus, Ohio, and she is honored to serve on the Columbus Tree Subcommission.
Alistair Reynolds
Alistair Reynolds is a dedicated urban forester with over a decade of experience working to enhance urban forests and create sustainable, vibrant communities. A graduate of The Ohio State University’s forestry program, Alistair currently serves as a regional urban forester with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry.
Throughout his career, Alistair has had the privilege of collaborating with municipalities across Ohio to develop and support tree commissions. He has guided communities in setting goals for urban canopy growth, implementing strategic management plans and engaging residents in tree stewardship. Alistair’s expertise in analyzing and applying tree-related data has been instrumental in shaping actionable policies, securing funding and prioritizing resources to maximize environmental and social benefits.
Prior to his work in urban forestry, Alistair served in the United States Marine Corps, where he held the role of infantry squad leader for an assault-man squad and completed two tours in Iraq. His military service has instilled in him a deep sense of dedication, discipline and a commitment to serving the greater good.
Alistair is passionate about his work and is eager to contribute his experience and insights to the City of Columbus Tree Subcommission. He believes that his background and vision align closely with the goals of the Subcommission and is excited to help shape the future of Columbus’ urban forest through sustainable practices and policies that benefit all residents.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Alistair is actively involved in various civic activities and volunteering.
Samantha Simmons
Samantha Simmons graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in natural resources urban forestry. She has 20 years of experience in the green industry, working first in commercial tree care and now as Parks and Forestry Superintendent and City Forester for the City of Upper Arlington. Samantha is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Board Certified Master Arborist. Samantha has served on the Ohio Chapter ISA Board of Directors. She has been a resident of Columbus for the past 18 years and is honored to serve her community as a member of the Columbus Tree Subcommission.