Tashi Tashi
URI Internship Year:
2024
Graduation Year:
2025
Degree:
MF
I am Tashi from Bhutan, currently a second-year Master of Forestry (MF) student. I hold a bachelor’s degree in forestry from the College of Natural Resources, Lobesa, Punakha, Bhutan (2012–2014). My undergraduate dissertation focused on biomass estimation of blue pine (Pinus wallichiana) using the randomized branch sampling method. My academic interests include urban and community forestry in the United States.
Before joining YSE, I served as a Senior Forest Ranger with the Department of Forests and Park Services in Bhutan, dedicating 21 years to forestry and conservation. Between 2002 and 2016, I worked with the District Forest Office, delivering extension services to the public, such as implementing community forest programs, coordinating afforestation and land management initiatives, and facilitating rural water source protection. One of my key achievements during this period was facilitating the handover of 35 community forests to Community Forest Management Groups across three districts: Trashigang, Sarpang, and Bumthang.
In addition to supporting community forestry, I spearheaded efforts to restore degraded and barren lands through various approaches, including assisted natural regeneration, plantations, and reclamation. These projects targeted areas with medium to high levels of degradation, ensuring sustainable restoration practices.
From 2017 to 2023, I worked under the Law Enforcement and Protection Office (Divisional Forest Offices of Sarpang and Bumthang), focusing on forest management units and community forests. My role involved facilitating community consultations, participatory planning, writing management plans, and obtaining approvals from the Department. These experiences reinforced my belief in the importance of effective communication, both horizontal and vertical, and community involvement in sustainable natural resource management.
At YSE, I have further expanded my expertise through various internships. Since September 2023, I have been an Assistant Forest Manager Intern with the Forest School and a GreenSkills program intern with the Urban Resources Initiative (URI). During the summer of 2024, I also worked with URI's Greenspace program. These roles enhanced my ability to engage with community forest group leaders and members, stewarding the greenspaces and sharing technical knowledge to implement restoration activities, including planting trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants.
A highlight of my internship experience has been working with volunteers to steward greenspaces across New Haven, including Kensington Park, Fort Wooster, Monitor Square, East Rock Park, and Mulberry Jam. These collaborations not only strengthened my restoration and community building skills but also deepened my connection to New Haven and fostered a sense of belonging.
For my Master’s project, I am developing a management plan for Fort Wooster Park in the Annex neighborhood of New Haven. The greenspace group has long sought such a plan, and the idea emerged during my summer internship. I wish to enhance my technical and communication skills at YSE to further contribute my efforts in achieving sustainable forest management around the globe.
After graduating in May 2025, I am eager to spend my time during my OPT period further exploring urban/community forestry management and private forest management in the U.S. I am confident that the knowledge and field experience gained through this journey will significantly enhance my capacity to contribute to urban forestry initiatives in Bhutan in future.
Group
Bradley Street Pocket Park -Mulberry Jam
Greenspace Log
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08/03/2024 |
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We concluded our summer program by stewarding the park (watering, trash picking, weeding and making donuts around trees planted in the past). Dedicated volunteers John and Robin never gave up to keep the park beautiful, clean and a livabe place for the neighborhood. Really appreciated their dedication and hard work. |
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08/03/2024 |
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We concluded our summer by reviewing our initial goals and agreed that we achieved all of them. We de-branched tulip tree to provide sunlight to spruce tree planted in the past. We also visited the Urban Oasis site and cut back vines in the area and reminded ourselves on which plants goes in 3 holes we dug earlier (Arbovitae, hornbeam and pin oak). It was great learning from Forest Wooster on restoration work and park management aspects. |
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08/03/2024 |
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7 volunteers during the workday spread woodchips in the Trowbridge courtyard and developed a garden too. We concluded the day by mulching perennial garden and reviewed our summer goals. It was great learning from FERP during this summer. |
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08/02/2024 |
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In the morning, Fellowship Place staffs visited the park to brainstorm on drawing murals on the side walk. We concluded our summer by reviewing our goals followed by stewardship activity-watering, cleaning the sidewalks, adding mulch in the butterfly garden and trash picking by 7 volunteers. We achieved all goals except planting Pachysandras around the trees owing to feasibility issues. At the end of workday, Jane provided some refreshments like cherry fruits, water melons, chocolates and granolas. Thank you for the wish card and great words. |
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07/27/2024 |
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4 volunteers planted one Kentucky Coffeetree in the park and did stewarship activities such as weeding the garden and watering by Robin and Allison whereas John, Ryan and I planted the tree. We will wrap up our summer program next saturday by doing some stewarship activities. |
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07/27/2024 |
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We planted a dogwood at Beacon Hill. Three volunteers participated during the workday and it was so accomplishing one. During the last week of workday, we will wrap up our summer program by reviewing our goals and discuss on it. |
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07/26/2024 |
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Today, we continued to make head and antennas of the butterfly garden with bluestone that Jane arranged and the leftover bricks. Sekonda and her two kids helped us to plant some perennials and water the garden for an hour. We planted 8 catmints, 2 Gaillardia Apricot, Gaillardia Mesa Red, 2 Pink Echinacea, 6 Iberis white and 2 Echineceas in the garden. We watered our trees and shrubs as usual. We had 5 volunteers who spend their time for three hours during the workday. Besides normal refreshments, Jane brought the team with ginger butterfly cookies which was just amzing and delicious. This is our final activity with the butterly garden. Our last workday on next Friday will be some sewardship activity or planting Pachysandra around the londonplane trees. |
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07/23/2024 |
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5 Students from common ground, 1 student from ACES and two staffs from ACES and I planted 3 eastern white pine in the Urban Oasis site of Fort Wooster Park. The trees were planted to promote native species restoration and also provide thermal cover for the wildlife during winter season. We will plant another three native species on Tuesday, 30th July 2024. |
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07/23/2024 |
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33 volunteers planted two trees (1 honeylocust and 1 red maple), picked trash, cleaned the area from weeds and debris. Youths were active, energetic and interactive and their commitment to work was such a wonderful obervation made during the workday. We wish to work with them in near future. |
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07/20/2024 |
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Sam, Ann's husband and I planted a Shumard Oak on the Beacon hill basically to fill open space of the park that faces Beacon Avenue. The park is now connected to water facility. Ann and his husband volunteered to water the tree. |
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07/20/2024 |
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Friends of Wast Rock Park had 8 volunteers for the workday. We planted 15 perennials in the Trowbridge courtyard garden, spread top soil and developed another garden. We will plant perennials and develop garden during our last week of workday on August 3, 2024. |
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07/20/2024 |
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John, his son and daughter, Robin and I planted one crabapple in the park. John was mindful of the measurements and technical aspects of the planting the trees. He wanted to be accurate in digging the size and depth of pit. I had to leave after rolling tree in the pit for another workday at Fort Wooster. Cone flowers are blooming well in the park. We will plant another low statured tree next week. |
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07/19/2024 |
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Today, we made mount of mixed top soil and compost on the wings of butterfly and planted 35 plants (2 shrubs and 33 perennials). Massing of species was highlight of the planting design. Three volunteers showed up during the workday that was so productive. People visiting the park liked and exicted to look at it growing well and invite butterflies in the garden. We will add some perennials next week which will the last workday for this summer with URI intern-greenspace program. We invite everyone in and around Kensington neighborhood to join us during the last workday. |
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07/17/2024 |
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The final day of summer program of the group and final day with URI, Mulberry Jam group did stewardship activities (cleaning, trash picking, watering, weeding). Eight volunteers showed up during the workday. We enjoyed closing chats over water melons, Kombucha, chocolates brought by the volunteers. It was a great time working with Mulberry Jam this summer and we wish them for sustainable management of this small but welcoming space-Do not miss to enjoy Mulberries during the month of June and stop by the park. |
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07/16/2024 |
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Sam and 2 from ACES worked for an hour in the Urban Oasis site today. We dug a plant hole and cleared around a plant hole marked with white paint. We will plant trees next Tuesday and dig remaining plant holes where students from ACES and common ground high school will be present. |
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07/13/2024 |
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Due to heavy rain in the morning, we were doubtful on whether we could work but David was optimistic to work even if it rained during the day. 7 volunteers turned out during the workday. We developed gardens in the two corners of Trowbridge courtyard by planting 3 Yaku rhododenrons, 3 coastal doghobbles, Christmas ferns and creeping Phlox and finally mulched the garden. We will be adding some perennials next week i.e. on 07/20/2024. |
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07/12/2024 |
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We developed butterfly garden (digging, remiving grasses, edging and laying blue stone). Four people from the neighborhood helped us to unload bricks and bluestone. We will be planting perennials next week and we invite volunteers to help us make this project wonderful. People visiting the park are exicted to see our final garden. |
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07/09/2024 |
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Greenspace Manager and I educated the IRIS youth about importance of trees, climate change and the purpose of removing invasives, De-Vining. 30 IRIS youths did stewarship activity - removed knotweed and piled for providing habitat for wildlife at Wilbur Cross High School from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. We also planted a Shumard Oak. The youth were active and energetic to work under a scorching sun. We will plant two canopy trees and continue removing invasives, pick trash, water the plants on16th July. |
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07/09/2024 |
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We worked in Urban Oasis site this week. The day began with briefing students by Greenspace Manager and Urban Oasis coordinator, Jasmine. Common ground (5 students) and ACES students (4 students) including Sam and a staff from ACES) did the site prep for plantation of evergreen native trees-white pine by clearing unwanted climbers and invasives. At at end, we dug 3 plant holes ready for plantation next week. But, we are still not connected with water facility although followup actions are in full swing. We may dig another three plant holes or plant three white pines if we are accssible to water next week. |
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06/29/2024 |
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We continued to work with stewarship activity - weeding in the monument garden, watering, edging aroung the trees and mulching around the trees. We will plant one tree (Crabaaple) on 13th July 2024. Please join us during the workday from 8-10 am. |
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06/29/2024 |
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We uprooted Wisteria climbers and piled the debris in the greenspace site. Sam will work with Urban Oasis on July 1, 2 and 3 with students. We will plant native trees in the urban oasis site on 9th July 2024. |
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06/29/2024 |
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David Shimchick arranged 12 perennials from Gary's and planted in the Trowbridge Perennial Garden. Three volunteers also mulched the native garden infront of College Wood East Rock Park signboard. We will be improving the courtyard of Trowbridge and continue mulching on 13th July. We welcome volunteers during the workday 10-12 noon. |
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06/28/2024 |
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7 volunteers including two new volunteers planted one Arbovitae, filled the sink area and broadcasted grass seeds. We watered plants and we would like to continue developing the park with butterfly garden on 12th July 2024 from 4-7 pm. Please join us! |
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06/22/2024 |
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Sam and me wrapped pink ribbon on the native species within the Urban Oasis area. We enumerated and mapped trees and saplings including mapping its boundary. Sam will be working with the students in July to develop the Urban Oasis area. The main objectives of developing Urban Oasis is to stopover habitat for migrating birds and other wildlife, create outdoor classroom and inspire people using the Park. |
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06/22/2024 |
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As usual, John and Robin were present during the workday. We did stewardship activity (watering, edging and mulching) the garden. We will continue edging around the tree and mulch next work day on 29th June, 2024. |
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06/22/2024 |
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Three volunteers during the workday and we planted two trees (Redbud and Cornelian Cherry Dogwood). We completed our work just before thunderstorm and rain was favorable for recently planted trees and shrubs in the Park. We will be planting another Arbovitae next week, on Friday from 4-7 pm and we welcome volunteers to plant trees and watering them. Mr. Josh who lives just next to Park volunterred this week and it was so helpful. |
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06/19/2024 |
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06/15/2024 |
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Today we weeded the flower garden of Beacon Hill near the flag. We retained Sassafras regeneration to add multi-stage structure of forest. We will be cleaning in the Townsend Avenue next week and volunteers are welcomed to join us from 10 am - 1 pm. |
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06/15/2024 |
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We planted three Yaku Princess Rhododendron and three Coastal Leucothes in the Throwbridge Perennial Garden. We also weeded the garden and watered native garden as well. We will be planting perennials on 06/29/2024, please join us during the workday. |
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06/15/2024 |
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Today, we (Jogn, Robin and me) have done steward activity in the park (weeding, trash picking and watering trees). We placed green board at the corner of park (Chapel Windthrobe). Please help us another steward activity next week (06/22/2024 Saturday 8-10 am). |
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06/15/2024 |
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We planted two Dark American Arbovitae trees at the back of the Park placing them between two Serviceberries planted last year. Three new volunteers and two existing (Jane and Olivia) contributed the workday and was accomplished before the predicted thunderstorms. Watering was done for the trees and shrubs we planted last week. We will be planting another two trees (shade tolerant) next week and volunteers are welcomed to help us plant another two trees. |
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06/08/2024 |
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Four volunteers from Student Environmental Reconstructions (SER) led by Steve Ring, Sam Sigg and I spent our workday removing the invasives (knotweed, garlic mustard, tree of haven and Wisteria). Sam cut down hanging dead branches that possess risks using power chainsaws. We piled dead branches and invasives in one location with an objective to provide habitat for ground nesting birds and other animals. Please join us on 15th June for maintenance of existing garden at 1 Beacon Avenue and also cleaning the forest from invasives at 908 Townsend Avenue. |
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06/08/2024 |
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Mulberry Jam group worked from 9 am-10 am on 6/8/2024 with two new senior Indian volunteers who are here to visit their son. We cleaned Norway Maple leaves in the park and trash. URI provided tools and paper bags to collect maple leaves on the ground. We discussed on upcoming plantation of creepers and shrubs on 19th June. Based on good survival, the group requested to supply Viginia creeper, Euonymus, Crevice Alumroot and spotted dead needle. |
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06/08/2024 |
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We met for the initial planning meeting with a workday too. The three volunteers are only those show up for the workday but their constant effort keeps park clean and healthy. We planned to plant two more trees, steward the existing flower garden, watering plants and cleanup. URI looks forward to working with the group and keep enduring our effort to improve and make better place for the neighborhood to spend their resfreshing time in the park. We will be stewarding this Saturday on 15th June (mulching, weeding, picking trash and watering). Please join us from 8 am to 10 am. |
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06/07/2024 |
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We planted five shrubs-shade tolerant species (Euonymus, Itea, Holly, Mountain Laurel and Doghobble) at the back of the park followed by watering, cleaning and stewarding the shrubs planted last year. URI provided shrubs, tools, gloves and mulch during the workday. Four existing volunteer and one new volunteer participated during the workday. We will be watering, and planting two white cedar on 14th June, 2024 and we invite additonal volunteers for the workday. |
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06/01/2024 |
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Led by David Shimchick who is the leader of Friends of East Rock Park, the team uprooted and cut invasives along the road after Mill river bridge. We also planted some perennials in the native flower garden along the orange road. The group will work on 15th June 2024 and will be focusing on spreading mulch and improving flower gardens. Mr David is still in talk with the Park and city on development of Trowbridge courtyard after which we could plan our activities in weeks ahead. |
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05/31/2024 |
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I and David discussed on the plans for this summer. We basically discussed on three different sites to work on this summer such as Trowbridge courtyard, Trowbridge perennial garden and Orange street native garden. |
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05/25/2024 |
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I met with Sam, Andreas and Carllota. We discussed on our goals setting this summer and decided to work on maintenances (weeding and clean up) on Saturdays from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. We learned that there are issues on damaging trees/shrubs/flowers and started playing football inside the park. |