About Tree Lafayette

The Lafayette Tree Fund, Inc., doing business as Tree Lafayette, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which plants and maintains trees primarily on public property or rights-of-way (mainly along streets) in Lafayette, Indiana and educates about and promotes trees. Since our beginning in 1993, Tree Lafayette has planted more than 4,300 trees in the Greater Lafayette, Indiana community.

We are always in need of volunteers, not only to plant trees but also to maintain them once they are in the ground. We also need volunteers to serve on our committees and Board.

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Mission Statement

Tree Lafayette promotes a healthy community by providing education, leadership, and inspiration in planting and caring for trees.

Board Members

Shirley Sterling
President

Caroline Kester
Vice President

Bill Arthur
Treasurer

Pat Rosebrock
Secretary

Gene Kroeschen
Executive Director

Cheryl Talley
Director

Doug Poad
Director

Barry Bruce
Director

Jenelle Rotar
Director

Zach Nemeth
Director

(open)
Director

Committee Chairs

Bill Skrobutt
Tree Committee Chair

Gene Kroeschen
Marketing Committee Chair

Pat Rosebrock
Education Committee Chair

Gene Kroeschen
Development Committee Chair

Shirley Sterling
Governance Committee Chair

Our Advisors

Kris Brown
Lafayette City Forester

Larry Rose
Advisor

Mickey Penrod
Advisor

Greg Shaner
Advisor

Orvin Lindell
CPA

Vision Statement

Tree Lafayette’s vision is a sustainable urban forest providing the benefits needed by our Community.

Our History

The Lafayette Tree Fund, Inc. was established in 1993 by charter members Arlan Stavnheim, Rob Galbraith, Orvin Lindell, David Lahr, William H. Baugh; Johanna Downie, and Rosie Lerner. Joni Heide, city forester, was the advisor.

Arlan Stavnheim served as president from 1993 until 2006. In 1999 Belinda Kiger became the new city forester and advisor. Arlan Stavnheim was appointed to the position of Executive Director in 2006. Larry Rose served as president from 2006 until 2012. During that era, the name of the organization was changed to Tree Lafayette and a new logo was adopted. On May 9, 2009, we planted the 1,000th tree since we began. Arlan Stavnheim stepped down as Executive Director in 2012 and Larry Rose was appointed to the position of Executive Director. In 2013 Gail Brock was elected president and served until July 2014. Jonathan Fisher was elected to serve as president until the end of 2014. In 2015 Denise Coogan was elected president. On March 30th of 2015, Belinda Kiger retired. Arbor Day 2015 was held at Jefferson High School, and we planted our 2,000th tree. The new city forester Leanne Wells was hired by the city in June 2015 and became an advisor to the board. Matt Green was elected as president in 2016. Leanne Wells left Lafayette in autumn of 2016. On January 1, 2017, Tim Detzner became the new city forester and advisor to the board. Larry Rose stepped down as Executive Director in 2017 and Bill Arthur was appointed to the position of Executive Director. Gene Kroeschen was elected as President of the Board in January 2019. Earth Day 2020 was held on 7th Street for the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. Bill Arthur stepped down as Executive Director in December 2020. Barry Bruce was elected as President of the Board in January 2022 and Gene Kroeschen was appointed as Executive Director. Arbor Day 2022 was held on Underwood Street for the 150th Anniversary of Arbor Day. In the fall of 2022, we planted our 4,000th tree. Tim Detzner retired in January 2023. In February 2023, Kris Brown became the new city forester and advisor to the board. Shirley Sterling was elected as President of the Board in January 2024.

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