Janette Monear

President/CEO

Janette Monear is the President and CEO of the Texas Trees Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to urban forestry. Based in Dallas, Texas, she has been instrumental in promoting sustainable practices that integrate trees and green infrastructure into community planning.

Background and Career

Monear began her career in advertising and promotion for a large bank before transitioning to urban forestry. She worked with the University of Minnesota, where she focused on advancing urban forestry initiatives, which led her to the nonprofit sector. Under her leadership since 2007, the Texas Trees Foundation has launched significant initiatives, including the Tree North Texas project aimed at planting 3 million trees by 2020 to address environmental challenges and enhance community well-being.1 2

Key Initiatives

Tree North Texas: A regional initiative involving 40 mayors aimed at extensive tree planting.
State of the Dallas Urban Forest Report: A comprehensive study that reshaped urban planning in Dallas through several projects, including streetscape master planning and community greening efforts.1 2
Dallas Urban Heat Island Study: Research focused on mitigating heat-related public health concerns through urban forestry.2

Vision and Philosophy

Monear's mantra is that "economic development in the absence of environmental integrity is not sustainable." She emphasizes creating a "sense of place" that fosters community engagement and ecological stewardship. Her work has earned her recognition as a leader in urban forestry and environmental advocacy, making her a frequent speaker at national conferences.1 3

Contributions

In addition to her leadership role, Monear has co-produced a Telly Award-winning documentary titled Spirit of the Trees and authored various training manuals related to urban forestry. Her innovative approach has not only transformed landscapes across North Texas but also established models for public-private partnerships in environmental projects.2 4