Sasha Lepeschkin-Noel is an ecologist who specializes in restoration ecology, invasive species management, and outdoor education. She earned her master’s degree in environmental science and management from the University of San Francisco in 2015.

For the last three years Sasha has served as a research assistant at Michigan State University. Initially, she worked for the Department of Entomology, focusing on projects involving the Emerald ash borer and Hemlock woolly adelgid. Currently, she works with Dr. Asia Dowtin in The Department of Forestry on a GLRI funded project to plant trees in Detroit for storm water management. Recently her research has focused on growth and phytoremediation performance of specialized hybrid willows and poplars, and water relations of trees planted in various urban habitats.

TSN Conference 2026

January 22nd, 2026 (Thursday) // 10:15 am – 11:15 am // Room 104 // Participatory Methods: Pathways for Restoring Canopy Cover and Quality of Life in a Detroit Neighborhood // In urban forestry, community-led participatory strategies can be used to help restore diverse, resilient tree cover and quality of life in areas where blight and related decline have occurred. This presentation will explore the impacts that different participatory techniques have had in restoring tree cover and quality of life in a once-declining Detroit neighborhood, with this work led by a local non-profit and advanced through collaboration with academic and federal partners. Participatory methods from 2024-25 resulted in the establishment of a nursery for sustained local sourcing of plant material, workforce development for 100 area youth, and planting of approximately 75 trees on vacant lots. Preliminary impacts include decreased crime, positive learning outcomes for community youth, and increased local engagement with spatially expansive green spaces. We will share lessons learned about fostering community stewardship of urban forests through collaborative participatory efforts.