{"id":15154,"date":"2025-04-02T13:07:01","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T18:07:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.treefolks.org\/?p=15154"},"modified":"2025-04-08T13:17:18","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T18:17:18","slug":"treefolks-mourns-the-passing-of-tom-spencer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.treefolks.org\/es\/2025\/04\/02\/treefolks-mourns-the-passing-of-tom-spencer\/","title":{"rendered":"TreeFolks Mourns the Passing of Tom Spencer, Beloved Advocate for Nature and Community"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For Immediate Release<\/b><\/h4>\n

H\u00e9ctor Gonz\u00e1lez, Communications Strategy Manager, TreeFolks
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Austin, TX \u2013 April 2nd, 2025<\/b> \u2013<\/span><\/p>\n

TreeFolks joins the Austin community in mourning the loss of Tom Spencer, a visionary environmental leader, broadcaster, and longtime friend of the urban forest. Tom passed away peacefully this week, leaving behind a profound legacy of conservation, storytelling, and public service.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tom\u2019s relationship with TreeFolks was personal and deeply rooted. He briefly served as Executive Director in 2019, bringing his signature warmth and insight to the role. His time with the organization was sadly cut short due to a debilitating medical issue, but his impact and encouragement continued long after. Tom remained a cherished supporter and champion of our work to grow a greener Central Texas.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t

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Tom was known throughout Central Texas as the host of Central Texas Gardener and Austin at Issue, where his thoughtful interviews and storytelling touched countless lives. He also served in key leadership roles at the National Wildlife Federation, Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT), I Live Here I Give Here, and TreeFolks, helping to shape a more compassionate and environmentally conscious Austin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTom inspired us to \u2018plant trees, plant hope,\u2019 and that is how TreeFolks will continue to honor his legacy,\u201d said Andrew W. Smiley, Executive Director of TreeFolks. \u201cWe are forever grateful to Tom for his vision and his passion, and invite others to get involved with TreeFolks as a celebration of his life and his accomplishments.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As TreeFolks celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, we carry Tom\u2019s spirit with us\u2014his reverence for the natural world, his love for people, and his enduring hope for a more beautiful, connected community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tom\u2019s family will announce a public memorial in the coming days. In his honor, TreeFolks invites the community to plant a tree, share a memory, or take a quiet walk beneath the canopy. In keeping with Tom\u2019s generous spirit, he requested memorial donations be made to <\/span>TreeFolks<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Interfaith Action of Central Texas <\/span><\/a>(iACT).<\/span><\/p>\n

Tom Spencer\u2019s roots run deep in Austin\u2019s soil. May his legacy continue to grow.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For Immediate Release H\u00e9ctor Gonz\u00e1lez, Communications Strategy Manager, TreeFolks Email: hector@treefolks.org | office: 512-575-2870 | cell: 512-903-4253 Austin, TX \u2013 April 2nd, 2025 \u2013 TreeFolks joins the Austin community in...","protected":false},"author":131,"featured_media":688,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[57,72],"tags":[96,101],"class_list":["post-15154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news","category-press-releases","tag-austin","tag-press-release"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t