West-Side Best-Side Stories
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Planting Today for a Healthier Tomorrow

People gathered next to a treePeople gathered next to a tree
A group of people at a tree plantingA group of people at a tree planting
Four people smiling outdoorsFour people smiling outdoors
Three people smiling at an eventThree people smiling at an event
Four people smiling at an eventFour people smiling at an event
Three women smiling and wearing name badges at an eventThree women smiling and wearing name badges at an event

Formation of Breathe 4 Trees began with a conversation in the rain between Nancy Drozdek and Sileiloga “Freda” Sauni outside a West Side Leadership Institute (WLI) meeting. Although the idea of creating a community space around trees had been on their minds for some time, it was the structure of the WLI class that gave this group of friends the necessary push to make the project a reality. Freda and Nancy quickly agreed that planting trees was a “simple yet doable” way to have fun while helping their community. This lighthearted beginning laid the groundwork for a team that includes Kendall N. Navares, Anna Drozdek, and Harry T. Kerr Jr., all of whom are united by a desire to address the smog, health vulnerabilities, and respiratory issues facing West Side families.

A deeply personal and cultural thread runs through the organization’s mission, particularly regarding ancestral connections to nature. Freda shared moving memories of her grandmother in Samoa using trees for healing and medicine, explaining that in her culture, “trees are everything” because they provide shelter, food, and a sense of identity. She uses the metaphor of a tree’s growth—needing water, sunshine, and nurturing—to teach her grandchildren that life can be difficult in the beginning, but with guidance, one can grow to “shine brightly.” Kendall echoed this sentiment, describing his choice to join the cause as a “no-brainer” because of the way trees evoke nostalgic memories of childhood in Hawaii and Samoa. He emphasized that the group wants to move beyond just the biological act of planting to create “intentional and meaningful” events where children can put down their iPads and learn what a tree represents for their own families.

The team also shared broader systemic challenges and the necessity of being a “community presence” to counteract environmental harm. Anna Drozdek highlighted that many people in Utah take their natural surroundings for granted, but her appreciation grew after a trip to see the “ginormous” Redwoods in California. She believes organizations like Breathe 4 Trees are vital because, without them, developers and others with “different interests” might assume the community doesn’t care about protecting its air quality and green spaces.

Looking toward the future, the organization is focused on adapting and evolving its goals to meet the changing needs of the West Side and the State of Utah. Nancy shared that they are leaning more toward community education and getting residents involved in local government meetings to ensure their voices are heard. While Breathe 4 Trees remains rooted in West Valley because of their origins with WLI, the team expressed that they will look for opportunities to grow this work across counties. They are even considering symbolic projects, such as planting a single, larger memorial tree to honor specific people or events, further blending their environmental work with community storytelling.