I was born and raised in the Bay Area, and after graduating from college I wanted to see the world. The company I worked for offered a rotation in Dubai, with significant time in Europe, mostly in London. Having been in Saratoga since I was 2, except for my four years at Cal Berkeley (Go, Bears!), it felt like an opportunity I could not turn down.

Five months into my rotation, I had the opportunity to visit home after spending most of my time in Dubai, a beachfront desert with miles and miles of sand dunes. I will never forget the visual of exiting off Highway 85 (my dad was driving), looking up at the green trees and mountains and remarking to myself, “Wow, it is really beautiful here. I am so lucky to be from such a lush and breathless city.” Sometimes you have to leave a place to really appreciate it.

Saratoga’s treelined streets, picturesque vineyards and lush parks offer an unparalleled serene escape. Landmarks like Hakone Estate and Gardens and hiking trails throughout our city showcase the seamless blend of natural beauty and thoughtful preservation. Saratoga’s environment provides moments of peace and inspiration, whether it’s a morning stroll under a canopy of oak trees or the sight of vineyards stretching across the hills.

As stewards of this extraordinary environment, the Saratoga City Council and staff take seriously the responsibility to protect it. Over the years, Saratoga has implemented policies to preserve open spaces, safeguard more than 40 heritage trees and encourage resident involvement in growing our urban forest. Last fall, the city launched its Tree Planting Program in partnership with Our City Forest, resulting in 236 subsidized trees designated for residential homes. The interest was overwhelming and quickly consumed available resources. These initiatives exemplify how Saratoga’s residents come together to celebrate and protect the natural environment that defines us.

Saratoga’s participation in the Tree City USA program since 2006 is a testament to our commitment to preserving and enhancing our urban forest. Administered by the Arbor Day Foundation, Tree City USA is a nationwide program that recognizes cities dedicated to the care and management of their trees. This recognition reflects Saratoga’s pride in its trees and reinforces our identity as a community that treasures its natural beauty.

In 2025, the City of Saratoga will embark on a comprehensive inventory of street trees and those on public property to develop a seven-year urban forest maintenance plan. As trees are a defining feature of Saratoga’s identity, this initiative aims to catalog the city’s trees, providing valuable data on their species, age, condition and location. This information will help the city manage its urban canopy effectively, address maintenance needs and plan for future planting efforts.

Residents can help maintain tree health in Saratoga by regularly watering and pruning trees on their property, reporting signs of disease or damage to the city and applying for a tree permit removal as needed. By preserving and enhancing its greenery, Saratoga seeks to uphold its natural beauty, combat the effects of climate change and improve the quality of life for residents.
Our residents and local organizations are vital in keeping Saratoga green and vibrant. From volunteers removing invasive trees and plants from local parks through the Parks and Recreation Commission’s “Let’s Work” program to organizations such as Orchard Keepers that keep Heritage Orchard eco-friendly and thriving, the community offers hands-on support.

Heritage Orchard is an example of the environment giving back to us. During the annual Community Harvest event, a portion of freshly picked apricots and plums are donated to local human service organizations such as West Valley Community Services. The 2024 season yielded more than 3,000 pounds of fruit for donations alone.

Saratoga’s lush greenery and proximity to the wildland-urban interface make it a beautiful place to live but also underscore potential risks. The wildfires that devastated Southern California and caused thousands to be forced to evacuate serve as a stark reminder to Saratoga residents of the importance of wildfire preparedness in our community. As we witness the impact of these fires on lives and property, let this be a call to action for Saratoga to remain vigilant, prepared and committed to fire safety and community resilience.

I encourage you to sign up for AlertSCC and Genasys Protect today to receive real-time updates during disasters including evacuation notifications, incident status and shelter availability. You can also learn how to prepare your property for wildfire through the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council.

In “The Overstory,” Richard Powers wrote, “What you make from a tree should be at least as miraculous as what you cut down. This is not our world with trees in it. It’s a world of trees, where humans have just arrived.”

Saratoga’s beauty is not just a gift; it’s a legacy we aim to pass on. In doing so, we honor our city’s identity and ensure its legacy thrives for generations to come.

Belal Aftab is the mayor of Saratoga.