Mike is an accomplished arborist and urban forester with over 20 years of experience, dedicated to promoting equity and environmental justice in the communities where he works and lives. He advocates for the health and longevity of urban forests, emphasizing the importance of planting diverse and resilient tree species. His work focuses on bridging the gap in access to green spaces, ensuring that marginalized communities have equitable access to the benefits that trees provide. As the President of Oregon Community Trees and the Executive Director of OURCF, Mike leads initiatives that promote urban forest health and community empowerment.
He has developed innovative programs that prioritize job training, environmental justice, and the use of green infrastructure to address urban challenges. Recognizing the need for collaboration, Mike builds partnerships with stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and government agencies, to address the unique needs of each community. His leadership and expertise have established him as a respected voice in the field of urban forestry and environmental justice, inspiring others to join the movement for a sustainable and just future.
Megan Wagner
Program & Operations Coordinator - Megan@ourcf.org
Favorite Tree: Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Megan grew up in the Rogue Valley, where she spent most of her time outside, camping, hunting, and fishing with family and friends. That early connection to nature laid the foundation for her passion for environmental stewardship and community-based work.
She’s currently working toward a degree in Environmental Science and Policy at Southern Oregon University, with certificates in Geospatial Technology and Environmental Communication, and plans to graduate in 2026. Her love for the region and the people who live here drives her interest in working at the urban-wildland interface. She’s also dedicated to making traditionally male-dominated fields more accessible and takes pride in encouraging others, especially young people, to engage in hands-on environmental work.
When she’s not working with trees, you’ll likely find her in the mountains or out at the coast, hiking, paddling, and camping. Megan believes strongly in the power of connecting to place and to one another.
Above all, Megan loves building relationships and inspiring people to become stewards of the land around them.
Abby grew up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in Northern California. She spent her summers camping and hiking among the beautiful granite alpine lakes and mixed conifer forests.
Her love for the outdoors led her to study Geography and Forestry at UC Berkeley. She spent the following years pursuing environmental work as an arborist, edible landscaper, and garden educator in the Bay Area. She’s also studied permaculture design, greywater system installation, and community herbalism. Abby loves spending time among the plants and fostering reconnection between people and the ecosystems they belong to.
Outside of her work with OURCF, you can find Abby gardening, woodworking, making music, and getting to know the people, land and waters of her new home in Southern Oregon.
Alex Relph
ISA Certified Arborist - Alex@ourcf.org
Favorite Tree: Brewer's Spruce (Picea breweriana)
Alex is an outdoor enthusiast and plant lover who moved to the Rogue Valley in 2014. Her passion for the outdoors grew during a summer spent on a backcountry trail crew in Southern Oregon's remote Wilderness Areas. Since then, she has led trail crews, backpacked 500 miles solo in the Colorado Rockies, worked with local nonprofits on public land stewardship, and enrolled at Southern Oregon University to pursue a BS in Biology. In 2019, Alex discovered arboriculture and began professionally climbing trees, developing a strong commitment to tree health and stewardship. She values the importance of healthy green spaces in both urban and rural areas and became a certified arborist in early 2025.
Growing up in San Diego in a low-income household, Alex learned to pursue her ambitions despite limited opportunities. She now lives in Grants Pass with her partner - Lucas, and her teenage sister - Kalani. The three enjoy outdoor activities like rock climbing, fishing, hunting, backpacking, and mountaineering, with Alex often found climbing trees or hiking trails.
