Urban Canopy Works
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About UCW

WOMAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

About UCW

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Urban Canopy Works, LLC is a woman-owned business dedicated to advancing trees and the tree canopy in urban and developed areas.  With a passion for natural systems and a clear sense of purpose about our work, our team works with cities and campuses across the country.   We are:
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  • ISA Certified Arborists
  • Urban Planners
  • Tree Risk Managers / Biomechanics Experts (using resistograph, sonic tomography)
  • Urban Forestry Consultants

With 50+ years of combined experience, UCW understands the procedures, opportunities, and limitations that municipal governments and campuses face. We outline recommendations and strategies that have attainable goals and outcomes - whether it’s in planning work or in tree risk assessments.  We are dedicated to building healthy communities, serving others, and making a difference. 

Services

Our services include:
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  1. Urban forest strategic planning (master plans, management plans)
  2. Advanced risk assessment (utilizing sonic tomography and resistograph)
  3. Consulting on tree protection in construction
  4. Revising existing ordinances, regulations, and policies
  5. Operational reviews. Analysing urban forestry program staffing, equipment, and other resources and developing recommendations for increased efficiency and effectiveness.
  6. Contract City Arborist Services.  Available on an annual contract or project-by-project basis - extension of city staff capabilities.

​Urban Canopy Works pledges to listen to your needs, respect your values, and work within your budget to provide practical solutions that are as unique as you, your community, and your goals are.  We approach all our projects with an unmatched enthusiasm for providing expertise and experience in service of our clients. Give us the opportunity to let you know why we believe that “Urban Canopy Works.”

Meet Our Team

The UCW team today has decades of experience in many areas of urban forestry. ​Our team boasts decades of experience in a diverse range of areas, including community forestry, greenspace planning and management, public engagement, tree risk assessment, tree protection, and sustainability. 
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Rachel Comte

Owner & Co-Founder

Rachel is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (TRAQ)  and an urban planner, and the co-founder of the company.   Learn more about Rachel. 
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Mindy Mohrman

Consulting Urban Forester

Mindy is an ISA Certified Arborist (TRAQ), ISA Urban Forest Professional and an urban planner, and manages a wide array of projects at UCW.   Learn more about Mindy. 
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Nara Baker

Consulting Urban Forester

Nara is an ISA Certified Arborist and ISA Urban Forest Professional, and manages a wide array of projects at UCW.   Learn more about Nara. 
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Cassandra Homan

Consulting Urban Forester

Cassandra is an ISA Certified Arborist (TRAQ) and manages city arborist contracts for UCW.  Learn more about Cassandra. 
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Nolan Nicaise

Urban and Environmental Planner

Nolan is an urban and environmental planning policy professional with experience in planning, zoning, environmental science.  Learn more about Nolan.  
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Dave Gamstetter

Consulting Urban Forester

Dave built his career in urban forestry management, now adding his expertise in operations reviews for UCW.  Learn more about Dave. 
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Gayle Hilleke

Principal, ThisRoom - a UCW Partner

Gayle and her company This Room is a consistent partner with UCW to ensure that our work in helping communities solve challenges is done with the best dialogue and facilitation possible.  

UCW History

Picture​Rachel and Jenny celebrate their first UCW dollar made in 2018.
Urban Canopy Works was founded by Rachel Comte and Jenny Gulick in 2018, with a focus on connecting their passion for natural systems and the environment with the drive to create healthy communities. Jenny and Rachel started the business with a clear purpose to contribute to a better world, serve others, make a difference, and focus on quality of life.   

Jenny passed away in March of 2025 after fighting cancer, but her legacy lives on through all of us at UCW.  Jenny’s significant contributions to improving and protecting trees and tree canopies nationwide continue to be recognized in our field.  If you'd like to remember Jenny, please consider donating to Taking Root - a local tree non-profit she helped launch.  We will honor her memory by continuing to dedicate ourselves to creating healthier, greener, more resilient, and equitable communities. 

Urban Canopy Works, LLC | Contact Us | © 2026
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​UCW is proud to support:
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Photo from Bennilover
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Work
  • We Can Help
  • Tree Canopy 101
    • Services of Urban Trees
    • Trees as City Infrastructure
  • News & Events
  • Contact Us