Gaetano Zorzi: Returning to His Roots

“I’d really like to find a job either in a nursery or working as an arborist on a tree crew,” Gaetano Zorzi began. “The Workforce Program has given me valuable experience. It’s been a great opportunity to talk to the people who do this work on a daily basis – and learn from them. Now, I understand what would be required of me in these roles. I’ve built the skillset I’ll need to be a strong applicant.” 

Zorzi graduated from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo in 2011. He earned his BA in Fruit Science, centering around Orchard Management and Integrated Pest Management. When he moved to Reno 10 years ago, he couldn’t find opportunities in his field. In the meantime, he worked in warehousing. Today, through the One Truckee River Workforce Program, Gaetano is redirecting his life and once again building a meaningful career that matches his interests.

Gaetano learned about the Workforce Program while living at Crossroads, a Washoe County program that offers a supportive living community, addiction treatment, and wrap-around services. Immediately, he recognized the unique opportunity to once again get involved in the profession he had studied for and pursue work he could get excited about. He applied and was accepted.

One Truckee River Workforce Program

The One Truckee River Workforce Program currently focuses on the two-mile stretch of the Truckee River from Lake Street to Galletti Way, where we’re planting native trees to increase shade and wildlife habitats, removing problematic invasives, updating irrigation systems, protecting mature native trees from beaver damage, and removing dead and declining trees. In partnership with RISE, we’re hiring our crew from Crossroads to help individuals facing barriers to employment kickstart their careers in forestry and landscaping.

Planting Trees Along the Truckee River

Since childhood, Zorzi has always been interested in plants. He grew up in Pleasanton and Hayward, CA and enjoyed both helping his mom in the garden and visiting his grandfather’s farm on the east coast. He shares, “I see a lot of people who don’t enjoy what they do for a living, and I don’t want that for myself. This is something I want.” 

When Zorzi joined the workforce crew in June 2025, he immediately got started transplanting trees and planting - adding cottonwood and alder trees to riverbank parks. Cottonwoods are one of the most common (and tallest!) native riparian trees in Nevada, known for providing shade, bank stabilization, and habitat for nesting birds and amphibians. Alder is a nitrogen-fixing tree that produces catkins in the fall that, along with its buds, offer an important food source for birds and pollinating insects.

These native trees are replacing problematic invasive species. Tree of Heaven and Siberian Elm were both introduced to the Truckee Meadows from Asia as early as the 1800’s. They were brought over as ornamental trees that grow well in poor soils and harsh temperatures. Much too well, it was soon realized. These trees grew and reproduced extremely quickly - with a single Tree of Heaven distributing up to 300,000 seeds each year - crowding out native species that are essential to our local environment while causing infrastructure damage through their extensive root systems. Once established, these invasives are very difficult to remove. Guetano and the Workforce crew begin treatment by girdling them - then return months later to dismantle the dead trees with chainsaws.

As a member of our Workforce crew, Zorzi’s favorite area to work has been John Champion Park, where restorative vegetation management efforts have included establishing new irrigation systems, pruning overgrown plants, and replacing invasive species with native alternatives. “Restoration is the part I like the most,” he tells us with pride. “Our efforts make John Champion Park feel like a much nicer, more welcoming place. The park feels well taken care of and I hope it will attract a more diverse crowd of people to spend time in it.”

Preparing for His Career

Through the experience Gaetano is gaining in the field he is earning professional certifications - as a Qualified Water-Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) and a Certified Pesticide Applicator. He’s also been trained by the City of Reno in tree work, learning how to rig trees and safely bring them to the ground.

While residing at Crossroads, Zorzi started a garden. Called everyone in town he could think of to get donations. Through his outreach, he connected to Reno Food Systems, who helped him with compost and plants. Today he not only volunteers with them but recruits and brings a volunteer group to their organic farm to help with mulching, weed pulling, and harvest.

For the first time in years, Gaetano is excited about how he’s spending his time: working and volunteering with plants. “The One Truckee River Workforce Program has been an excellent experience for me,” he notes. “I couldn’t ask for better supervisors. Tara and Iris really care about what they’re doing and go out of their ways to help us out. My crew members, my friends and I’ve enjoyed working alongside them. I’ve enjoyed this more than any other job I’ve ever had – and I hope in the future I can find more work that I enjoy this much.”