Hello. I'm Jon Swae.
I create cities for people and nature.
I create cities for people and nature.
My work focuses on creating places that reimagine and restore our relationship with the natural world. For nearly two decades, I have led public initiatives for the City of San Francisco that turn ambitious environmental ideas into funded, operational and highly visible projects and programs.
At San Francisco Public Works, I serve on the Bureau of Urban Forestry’s leadership team which manages the City’s 125,000 street trees and a portfolio of public open spaces. I oversee contracts, grants and nonprofit workforce development partnerships that support the City's urban forest. My initiatives have secured approximately $20 million in grant funding, transformed a neglected freeway parcel into the award-winning Street Tree Nursery, and trained and employed hundreds of people to plant and care for thousands of trees.
Previously, at the San Francisco Planning Department, I worked with communities to create land use and natural resource management plans. I led and authored the San Francisco Urban Forest Plan which transformed how the city funds and cares for its trees. I also helped advance a range of neighborhood sustainability and biodiversity initiatives.
I currently serve as Chair of CAL FIRE’s California Urban Forest Advisory Committee where I help shape urban forestry policy and investment statewide. When I'm not planning or planting, you can find me exploring California's wild places or making art inspired by the land and people who live closely with it.
I currently serve as Chair of CAL FIRE’s California Urban Forest Advisory Committee where I help shape urban forestry policy and investment statewide. When I'm not planning or planting, you can find me exploring California's wild places or making art inspired by the land and people who live closely with it.
