Featured Speakers 

Jaci Randel – Executive Director, Bexar Branches Alliance 

From the Soil to the Sky: Data, Partnerships, and the Future of Our Urban Canopy 
Jaci will open the conference with a regional urban forestry update, update from the Texas A&M Forest Service Urban Forestry Congress, sharing insights on canopy trends, equity-driven tree initiatives, and collaborative efforts shaping the future of our region’s urban forest. 

Dr. Stephanie Adams – Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service 

Distinguishing Soil Health from Root Health 

Dr. Adam’s presentation clarifies the critical difference between soil health and tree root health—two concepts that are often mistakenly treated as the same. While soil conditions play an important role in tree performance, healthy soil metrics do not guarantee healthy roots. This session explores how root pathogens and other stressors can persist even in well-managed soils, leading to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatments. Attendees will learn field-based techniques for assessing root health, strategies for ruling out soil limitations as the primary cause of decline, and integrated pest management approaches for addressing root disease. The presentation also sets realistic expectations for tree recovery based on site conditions, pathogen pressure, and overall tree health. 

Dr. David Appel – Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M University 
Dr. Appel will draw on his Ph.D. research in water relations, tree stress, and tree health to explore how trees respond to environmental pressures, with a strong emphasis on current research and climate change. His presentation will examine how shifting temperature and moisture patterns influence tree physiology and stress responses, and what that means for long-term tree health. Attendees will gain practical insight into applying research-based strategies to better maintain resilient, healthy trees under changing climate conditions. 

Melanie Villegas-Portillo – Conservation Education State Coordinator, Texas A&M Forest Service 

Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives
Melanie will discuss forest health and how conservation and connection to nature support healthier communities. She will also lead a 30-minute Forest Bathing session during the lunch break, offering attendees a restorative, guided experience connecting health and nature. 

Pam Ball – Executive Director, Headwaters Sanctuary 
Pam will share insights into preservation efforts at Headwaters Sanctuary, highlighting land stewardship, habitat protection, and canopy restoration. 

Sam Lawson – Natural Areas Conservancy, Forests in Cities Network 
Sam will discuss the Forests in Cities Network, showcasing how cities across the country are collaborating to protect and expand urban forests in natural areas through shared strategies and data-driven approaches. 

Grace Carlin – Director, Urban Land & Water, Green Spaces Alliance 

Reforesting the City: Growing a Miyawaki-Style Urban Forestry Program in San Antonio 

Grace will introduce the Miyawaki Forest concept and discuss the two Miyawaki forests Green Spaces Alliance has installed in San Antonio, highlighting rapid-growth urban forests as a tool for climate resilience and biodiversity. 

Together, these speakers will connect research, practice, and community action — offering attendees a comprehensive look at how urban forests support ecological health, climate resilience, and human well-being.