Chelsea

Hilary Dimino

Education: Bachelors of Science with a major in Biology, focused on Conservation Biology from SUNY Cortland 2007.
Experience:  I have been an urban forester with the DCR for nearly 10 years.  I started as a seasonal forester at the Middlesex Fells Reservation, building and cleaning trails, utilizing my chainsaw skills when needed and working with student volunteers to maintain the park.  I continued my journey in urban forestry, working for the Asian Long-horned Beetle program in Boston.  After the beetle was eradicated, I was fortunate to become one of the first urban foresters with the Greening the Gateway Cities Program in Chelsea, starting in 2014.   I have been planting trees in Chelsea and Revere ever since!  Before my DCR career, I was an AmeriCorps environmental volunteer, working for the Nevada Conservation Corps in Las Vegas, NV.  I have also worked for the National Park Service, working at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore on the Karner Blue Butterfly endangered species project.
Interests:  I am passionate about environmental justice, and am genuinely interested in creating an urban ecosystem that is sustainable and healthy for all inhabitants. I love to travel and adventure, to try new things, music in all forms, being outdoors, and eating delicious food.   Spending time with my daughter, and teaching her about the natural world is what brings me the greatest joy.
Favorite Tree:  This is a tough question and my answer evolves with time, but currently my favorite tree is Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra​).  It is strong and hardy, tolerant to many urban conditions and provides habitat to many different creatures.  It’s also provides a great amount of shade as it matures!