OneCanopy’s Katelynn Martinez receives Young Forester Leadership Award
OneCanopy’s Katelynn Martinez Receives Young Forester Leadership Award
We are proud to announce that Katelynn Martinez, Director of Operations and Business Development at OneCanopy, has been honored with the Young Forester Leadership Award by the Colorado/Wyoming Chapter of the Society of American Foresters (SAF). This award recognizes emerging professionals under the age of 40 that demonstrate outstanding leadership, a commitment to sustainable forestry, and meaningful contributions to the forestry profession and community.
In announcing the award, SAF shared the following:
“We are pleased to award Katelynn Martinez with the 2025 SAF Young Forester Leadership Award in recognition of her outstanding and sustained leadership benefiting the practice of forestry and her invaluable contributions to the SAF.
Through her continuous commitment to the profession, her leadership in the SAF, and her tireless efforts to further the mission of sustainable forestry, Katelynn exemplifies the qualities that this award seeks to honor. As Director of Operations and Business Development for [OneCanopy], Katelynn has demonstrated exceptional leadership in the field of forestry, particularly through her ongoing support of reforestation efforts across Colorado. Her efforts ensure that reforestation is not only a practice but a sustained effort that positively impacts both the environment and local communities. Through Katelynn’s leadership, OneCanopy is filling critical gaps in the reforestation pipeline by growing more than one million seedlings annually for restoration and reforestation efforts across the Rocky Mountain region. Furthermore, her work as an employer, colleague, and mentor has made a lasting impact on the next generation of forestry professionals. Katelynn’s sustained leadership – in both her professional endeavors and her work with SAF – has had a profound impact on the practice of forestry in Colorado and beyond. Her active participation in numerous initiatives—such as facilitating educational events, leading key activities at national conventions and annual meetings, and collaborating with a broad range of partners demonstrates a long-term commitment to improving the field of forestry.
Katelynn is known for her tireless work ethic, her ability to maintain a positive attitude in challenging situations, and – above all – her unrelenting desire to help others. Whether in her professional role, as a mentor to the next generation of forestry leaders, or through her service to SAF, she consistently goes above and beyond. Katelynn embodies the spirit of leadership, collaboration, and dedication that the Young Forester Leadership Award seeks to celebrate. Congratulations, Katelynn.”
Katelynn has also been nominated for the national Young Forester Leadership Award, which will be announced later this summer. This national honor is presented to one recipient each year and is among the most prestigious recognitions in the forestry profession for early-career leaders.
Please join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition of Katelynn’s outstanding leadership and dedication to land stewardship. We are proud to have her guiding OneCanopy’s growth and impact as we work together to restore and protect our region’s forested landscapes.
To learn more about the Young Forester Leadership Award, visit the Society of American Foresters website.
OneCanopy grows 2,000 trees to plant in Quarry Fire burn scar
In the wake of the devastating Quarry Fire that scorched parts of Colorado’s foothills, OneCanopy is helping to regrow what was lost. The local nursery is cultivating 2,000 native trees that will be planted in the burn scar – an effort rooted in resilience, collaboration, and the power of proactive reforestation. With each seedling, OneCanopy is working to bring new life to the landscape and support long-term forest recovery with Jefferson County Open Space.
Watch/read the full story by FOX31 Denver >>
Rooted in resilience: how Colorado is rebuilding its forests
In the wake of catastrophic wildfires like the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire, Colorado’s forests are facing long-term ecological challenges. Local communities, scientists, and reforestation leaders are stepping up with innovative strategies to heal these landscapes—despite obstacles like seed shortages and a changing climate. At OneCanopy, we’re proud to be part of this larger movement focused on scalable, science-backed forest restoration. These stories of resilience and collaboration inspire our continued mission to grow climate-smart forests across the West.
OneCanopy joins forces to restore wildfire-scarred hillsides
In the wake of devastating wildfires, Northern Colorado is rallying to heal its scarred landscapes – and OneCanopy is proud to be part of the solution. Local communities, landowners, and restoration partners are coming together to revitalize the region’s forests. This collaborative movement is about more than just replanting trees – it’s about restoring ecosystems, empowering communities, and building long-term resilience across the Front Range.
Wild Things & Wild Places podcast: planting native trees for wildlife with OneCanopy
Wild Things & Wild Places host, Joshua Coursey, welcomes OneCanopy’s Director of Operations and Business Development, Katelynn Martinez, to talk about the importance of planting native trees and shrubs, particularly for species like mule deer. These efforts not only enhance biodiversity but also contribute to the overall health and resilience of ecosystems.
OneCanopy director panels Forest Congress annual gathering
Forest Congress inspires future natural resources leaders
The Women’s and Minoritized Genders’ Forest Congress is an annual gathering centered on minoritized genders in natural resource fields. According to the National Association of State Foresters, fewer than 20% of forestry employees are women.
The panel portion of the event featured Erika Lee, an instructor at the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education; Katelynn Martinez, director of operations and business development at OneCanopy; and Naomi Marcus, director of professional development at the Society of American Foresters.
During their conversation, Lee, Martinez and Marcus touched on how they came into their professions and burn out when working in the field. They also discussed the importance of taking risks in one’s career and how to improve inclusivity in the workplace.
OneCanopy joins the Guild to sprout hope on International Day of Forests
The International Day of Forests in March was a timely reminder of the critical role trees play in our environment. Here in Colorado, we face a significant challenge: millions of acres need reforestation due to climate change and human impact.
OneCanopy, founded in 2023 by Fort Collins native Kevin Brinkman, hopes to be a seed of change. The innovative social enterprise is Colorado’s first reforestation company, tackling the challenge from the ground up – literally. The company’s focus is on growing native trees and shrubs specifically suited to the Rocky Mountain region.
“This International Day of Forests, we celebrate all the people and companies taking a proactive approach to reforestation in Colorado,” said director of operations and business development Katelynn Martinez. “We sponsor and partner with the Forest Stewards Guild because we align with their vision of an ecologically, economically, and socially responsible forest industry. As a triple bottom line company, those values are paramount to us.”
Reforestation company OneCanopy nurtures millionth tree
Reforestation company OneCanopy, which operates a greenhouse for native trees in south Loveland, has nurtured its millionth tree.
Of those, 185,000 have been planted to restore forests lost to beetles or fire; the remainder will soon join them over the course of the next several months.
In all, OneCanopy, the brainchild of Kevin Brinkman, hopes to grow and make available a million trees a year to help rebuild forests in the west.
Brinkman founded OneCanopy in 2023. It’s Colorado’s first reforestation company; its focus is on growing native trees and shrubs specifically suited to the Rocky Mountain region.
“This International Day of Forests (March 21), we celebrate all the people and companies taking a proactive approach to reforestation in Colorado,” Katelynn Martinez, director of operations and business development for OneCanopy, said in a written statement. “We need a massive commitment to reforestation to address the challenges we face.”
OneCanopy sprouts hope on International Day of Forests
OneCanopy, the region’s first privately funded reforestation company, will seed its millionth tree this year.
The International Day of Forests (March 21st) is a timely reminder of the critical role trees play in our environment. Here in Colorado, we face a significant challenge: Millions of acres need reforestation due to climate change and human impact.
OneCanopy, founded in 2023 by Fort Collins native Kevin Brinkman, hopes to be a seed of change. The innovative social enterprise is Colorado’s first reforestation company, tackling the challenge from the ground up—literally. The company’s focus is on growing native trees and shrubs specifically suited to the Rocky Mountain region.
“This International Day of Forests, we celebrate all the people and companies taking a proactive approach to reforestation in Colorado,” says director of operations and business development Katelynn Martinez. “We need a massive commitment to reforestation to address the challenges we face.”
OneCanopy teams up with C Lazy U Ranch on East Troublesome Fire reforestation project
The C Lazy U Ranch in Granby, CO had 6,000 acres impacted by the East Troublesome Fire in 2020. In early October 2023, 40 OneCanopy volunteers planted 1,600 trees to help bring this landscape back to life.
The East Troublesome Fire ignited Oct. 14, 2020, changing the landscape and lives of Grand County residents. C Lazy U Ranch in Granby was in the fire’s path. On Oct. 21, the fire exploded across Colorado Highway 125, right through C Lazy U.
Since the fire, the ranch’s owners, employees and even guests have worked to restore the damaged landscape.
Nature does a great job of healing itself, as shown by grass and aspens growing in the former barren landscape. But nature often needs a helping hand. On Oct. 1, 2023, C Lazy U staff and volunteers teamed up with OneCanopy to plant 1,600 new trees in the burn scar.
