Ashley Peace has been on the Capital Trees Board of Trustees for just over 1.5 years, and brings a wealth of professional experience and knowledge to our organization. She has been active in both Board Committees and at community workdays where she’s gotten her hands in the gardens, picking up native plant knowledge to use in her home garden. Learn more about her background, her work with Capital Trees, and what she’s excited for Capital Trees to accomplish next by reading the interview below.

How long have you been involved with Capital Trees?

I joined the Board of Trustees in March 2021.

What is your position with Capital Trees?

I currently serve as a Member of the Board of Trustees. I previously served on the Governance Committee and am looking forward to joining the Projects Committee.

Why did you take on that position?

My professional experience is in land use, commercial real estate development, and project management. I hope to use my skills and talents on the Projects Committee to help support the organization’s mission.

How have you seen the organization evolve? What have you been most surprised by?

Capital Trees is growing into a leading nonprofit organization in the Richmond region. The Board of Trustees recently adopted a Strategic Plan that provides a framework for the organization to continue and expand its work of creating public green spaces that are environmentally friendly.

What Capital Trees contribution or project are you most proud of?

The Low Line Gardens along the James River and Kanawha Canal and Virginia Capital Trail is one of the most beautiful places in the City of Richmond and an extraordinary recreational amenity for the region. The gardens also provide numerous environmental benefits such as filtering storm water runoff. 

It’s one of my favorite places to visit to be inspired and to learn about native plants to include in my garden at home. 

What should more people know about Capital Trees?

Capital Trees doesn’t just plant trees. Capital Trees is a leading non-profit organization whose mission is to build and maintain public landscapes. The organization works to make Richmond a greener, more livable city by creating public landscapes that foster community building, environmental stability, economic investment, and healthier lifestyles.

What is Capital Trees biggest need?

The organizations biggest need is volunteers to assist with ongoing weeding and maintenance of the Low Line Gardens. Financial support is also needed. Maintaining the public landscape is labor intensive and expensive.

What are you most looking forward to in the next year?

I am looking forward to joining the Projects Committee and helping the organization identify its next impactful initiative. There are so many opportunities and needs across the city. I hope to play a small part in revitalizing and creating public green spaces to benefit the community. 

What’s your favorite plant/plot/project of Capital Trees?

My favorite plants at the Low Line Gardens are oakleaf hydrangea and mountain mint.