Dr Olaf Ribeiro, Champion of Trees
Background and introduction for the
proclamation agenda bill
In
Recognition of Dr. Olaf Ribeiro: Dedicated Bainbridge Island Volunteer and
Consummate Teacher and Storyteller
Dr. Olaf Ribeiro is
one of those rare gems of a human being who makes the world a better
place. He certainly deserves to be recognized for his years of service
and dedication to Bainbridge Island and its citizens, including the
trees. Among his many services to the community was his time spent saving
historic trees, such as the Blakely Japanese Maple, and teaching through his
Bainbridge Historical Museum Historic Tree Tours and nature walks. He
guided fungi tours at IslandWood that could lead even the uncertain neophyte to
an incredible understanding and appreciation for these amazing life
forms. He would gleefully--yes, gleefully!--step into the woods to
measure trees for tour participants and invite them to help and learn how to
age trees. He shared wonderful stories of his misadventures of missteps
taken in the woods leading to unfortunate injuries, all while smiling. He
shared inspiring, heartwarming stories of researchers discovering cures for
disease among the beloved trees and fungi of the world. Through
every moment on a walk in the woods, Olaf's passion for his work and phenomenal
knowledge and expertise would shine through. During his guided walks, his
laugh would ring through the forest like the seemingly endless rings of an old
growth tree!
Bainbridge Island is
a more beautiful place for all the trees Olaf planted and fought to protect,
for his lifetime of dedication, and for all the children and adults who have
been inspired by his enthusiasm. I am grateful to those of you who have
chosen to honor Dr. Olaf Ribeiro for his service to our community.
Thank
you,
Christine
Perkins
Bainbridge
Island
Historic cherry trees
moved from Bainbridge High School to Sakai Middle School
From Dr. Olaf
Ribeiro’s book, Historic, Champion & Unique Trees of Bainbridge Island,
WA, published in 2019:
Cherry Trees (Prunus var. Kwanzan):
These trees are located at Sonoji Sakai Intermediate
School - 9343 NE Sportsman Club Road and can be seen on the hillside above the
parking lot. In 1933, they were planted by the Japanese, Issei (first
generation) at Bainbridge High School, to honor the first class of graduating
Nisei (second generation) from Bainbridge High School. These trees were a
majestic sight in spring when their blossoms were much admired. In 2006 the
school superintendent let it be known that the trees were in danger of being
removed since they were in the way of the proposed new High School Auditorium.
The cost of moving them to another location was considered prohibitive. With
the help of island historian Gerry Elfendahl and arborist Olaf Ribeiro, a
campaign was launched to save the historic cherry trees. With a very generous
donation from islander Sue Cooley, saving the trees became a reality. An
arborist crew from Seattle was brought over to help move them to the hillside
at Sonoji Sakai Intermediate School with the cooperation of the principal Joann
Van der Stoep. The arborists worked tirelessly to accomplish the move over a
weekend. … Kay Nakao, a daughter of one of the students who originally planted
the trees, was present to see the move accomplished. She was present in 1935
when her father was one of those who planted the trees. It was a very emotional
moment for her as she recalled the original plantings and the effort that was
made to save the trees. To quote Kay Nakao “It is something special that
every season when the blossom blooms, we have “hanami” or flower viewing. It is
a feeling hard to describe – of peace and an appreciation of beauty”
The
trees presented a technical challenge since they were going to be transplanted
in May, at flowering time. …. For Olaf Ribeiro, the arborist in charge of the
move, the challenge was well worth it since it was important to save the trees
to keep Island traditions and history alive.
The
moving of these trees to their present location generated much local interest.
A selection of some of the comments is given below:
April
14, 2007: Bainbridge Review: History faces the ax. Activists hope to
save cherry trees in the way of BHS expansion. “Ribeiro along with
island historian Gerry Elfendahl, members of the nonprofit Kitsap Trees and
Shoreline Association and a small group of students are scrambling to save the
trees. Lacking time and money, the group is looking for all the help they can
get”
May
17, 2007: Kitsap Sun: Volunteers Dig In for a long Day to save historic
cherry trees. “Sakai Intermediate School is the proud owner of three
historically significant trees, after an all-day effort by a couple of dozen
workers and a small army of supporters.
The
transfer from Bainbridge High School was an all-day project. Island arborist Olaf
Ribeiro called the transfer a big success”
May 19, 2007: Bainbridge Islander: Island cherry trees to be spared from the
ax: “Sue Cooley of Bainbridge Island has made a donation to have three
cherry trees at Bainbridge High School moved to nearby Sakai Intermediate
School”.
May
30, 2007: Bainbridge Review: Tree effort brought out best in Island.
A letter to the Review by Clarence Moriwaki expressing gratitude for saving the
trees....” a tree weaves a story, a history of time. Look up and listen and
together you’ll climb”.
May
14, 2008: Bainbridge Review: A Celebration of Cherry Trees. Gerald
Elfendahl wrote a column on the successful celebration of the First Annual
Cherry Blossom Festival. “Students played Japanese folk songs and shared haiku
read aloud and artistically written on decorated paper that fluttered among the
blossoms. One read, “Pink blossom, softly swaying in the wind, floating in
puddles”. No puddles this day – though maybe a few happy tears! Eagles and
billowing white clouds like giant blossoms filled a sunny sky ........”
Previous
awards and recognition for Olaf include:
·
History
Hero Award from the Bainbridge
Historical Museum.
·
Hometown
Hero Award by the Bainbridge
Symphony Orchestra.
·
Environmentalist
Award – Assoc. of Bainbridge
Communities 2015
·
Education
Award – International Society of Arboriculture, PNW
Chapter. 2010
·
Wall
Street Journal front page article
– Oct. 13, 2006. God Can Make Tree, But Olaf Ribeiro Can Save its Life.
·
NBC
Today Show- July 17, 2007. Tree Doc – An American Story. Bob
Dotson.
·
Featured
on Channel 5
Evening Magazine for saving historic cherry trees. October 2007.
·
Cherry
Blossom Award by
the Consul General of Japan for work in saving historic cherry trees. April 18,
2008
·
Featured
as one of the Island Stewards in
the book, In Praise of Island Stewards by Joel Sackett.
1998.
PROCLAMATION
In
Recognition of Dr. Olaf Ribeiro,
Champion
of Trees
City
of Bainbridge Island, Washington State
A Proclamation declaring
May 17th as Dr. Olaf Ribeiro Day on Bainbridge Island; affirming the
community’s appreciation of Dr. Olaf Ribeiro, Champion of Trees, and his work on behalf of Bainbridge Island’s
community forests inspired by his profound knowledge of the many ecological,
cultural, and economic benefits trees and forests provide to the community, the
region, and humans worldwide.
Status: Draft
Date introduced to City Council:
Date to be taken up by the City
Council:
City Council Sponsors: Rasham
Nassar and Christy Carr
Text
Proclamation _________________
A Proclamation declaring
May 17th as Dr. Olaf Ribeiro Day on Bainbridge Island; affirming the
community’s appreciation of Dr. Olaf Ribeiro, Champion of Trees, and his work on behalf of Bainbridge Island’s
community forests inspired by his profound knowledge of the many ecological,
cultural, and economic benefits trees and forests provide to the community, the
region, and humans worldwide.
WHEREAS, Olaf was first introduced to plants by
his mother in Kenya: he became curious about trees and “how they managed to
grow so big and survive so many years”; growing up, he observed the universal
appeal of trees for their calming effect on people; over years spent gaining
advanced degrees in Plant Pathology, saw that there were few experts who
possessed his expert knowledge and dedication to saving trees; and
WHEREAS, while Dr. Olaf Ribeiro’s appreciation
for trees is rooted in science, it also has aesthetic, historical, and
spiritual dimensions; and
WHEREAS, Olaf was born in Nairobi, Kenya, in a
family originally from Goa, India; he attended the Technical High School in
Nairobi, went to England to complete a pre-college curriculum, and returned to
Egerton Agricultural College in Kenya; sponsored by an Agency for International
Development scholarship, he earned Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Plant
Pathology at West Virginia University; between 1972 and 1981 he was a Faculty
Research Associate at the University of California, Riverside; he became a
world authority on the pathogen Phytophthora, which in many different
species afflicts both food stocks and forests; and
WHEREAS, in California, focused first on
diseases afflicting citrus and avocado crops, Olaf’s interests gradually
shifted to forests and the growth, longevity, and morbidity of trees,
contributing to a decision to move to Bainbridge Island in 1981; and
WHEREAS,
in 1991 Bainbridge Island would be incorporated as a city and embrace the
stewardship principles promoted by Olaf and other Islanders; and
WHEREAS, over the years, Olaf’s
devotion to the protection of trees on Bainbridge Island would put him at odds
with development interests, he would continue to be an irrepressible defender
of trees and all that remains of the natural environment; and
WHEREAS,
Olaf would work in the late 1990s to successfully advocate
for the retention of the large red oak and chestnut trees at Harbor Square, both
of which would be designated Heritage Trees by the City in 2000, and in 2002 would
rescue a large maple tree when the Martinique was demolished on Eriksen Avenue,
moving it to Bainbridge Performing Arts; and
WHEREAS,
Olaf would co-found the Murden Cove Preservation Association, dedicated to
environmental protection, and was a member of the City’s first Forestry
Commission; and
WHEREAS, in 2002 Olaf
would be featured in photographer Joel Sackett’s book, In Praise of Island Stewards, where he would say, “The rapid development of previously
forested areas around the world is destroying our fragile ecosystems. Saving trees has become urgent and of
paramount importance. Being a ‘tree
steward’ is sometimes difficult, as the recent decision to down the maples on
Winslow Way East illustrates. Trees evoke
strong emotions in each one of us.
Nevertheless, I continue to work to inform urban communities along the
West Coast, through lectures, writings, and on-site visits, on the need for
trees in our lives.”
WHEREAS, on May 17, 2007 Olaf would help move
historic cherry trees displaced by construction at Bainbridge High School to Sonoji
Sakai Middle School. The trees were planted in 1933 by the Island’s
Japanese American Issei (first generation) to honor the first class of
graduating Nisei (second generation) from Bainbridge High School and can now be
seen on the hillside above the Sakai middle school parking lot;
and
WHEREAS, for several years Olaf would lead heritage
tree walks in Winslow to share his knowledge and appreciation of trees with the
community; and
WHEREAS,
Olaf was an inspiration and contributor to the 2019 City of Bainbridge Island Resolution,
Celebrate Trees Earth Month Bainbridge
Island, which includes: WHEREAS, the citizens of Bainbridge Island recognize
that the forests of Bainbridge Island have existed here for many thousands of
years, providing habitat for a diverse community of plants and animals, as well
as for the area’s first inhabitants, purifying the air and water; and
supporting a rich diversity of life; and
WHEREAS, In 2019, Olaf worked with the school district
and community members to save the Japanese maple at Blakely Elementary School
from destruction by raising the funds and coordinating the work to have the
tree moved from the path of redevelopment and placed at the entrance to the new
school where it is a centerpiece of the new landscaping and a joy to observe in
every season; and
WHEREAS, during a speech in recognition of Olaf
in February of 2019 at the Bainbridge Historical Museum the following was said:
“Dr Ribeiro walks his
own talk every day as he collaborates with groups and individuals to think
about intentional growth, lobbies City Hall for stronger protections for trees,
plants saplings in our public parks, and like a mad-scientist, mixes up
microbe-mycelial cocktails to save heritage trees in Downtown Winslow by
healing their root systems. His generosity is bar-none. He gives from his
heart, he's tenacious, and most importantly he loves Bainbridge Island.
… His expertise, generosity of spirit and humor inspire us
every day”; and
WHEREAS,
for the past three decades Dr. Olaf Ribeiro has been a tireless inspiration to
citizens and city officials alike, saving and healing trees, and sharing his
love and knowledge of trees, and in so doing contributing to the creation of progressive
policies and regulations to protect trees and the natural environment: NOW,
THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE
ISLAND THAT:
The
City Council of the City of Bainbridge Island declares May 17th to be Dr. Olaf
Ribeiro, Champion of Trees, Day on
Bainbridge Island.
Adopted
by the City Council the ____ day of ____________________, 2021, and signed by
me in open session in authentication of its adoption this________ day
of ______________________, 2021.
_________________________________
Mayor ___________of the Bainbridge Island City Council
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