Jeff Edwards

Nominee: Jeff Edwards

Does this person live or work in Los Osos? : Yes

Why do you feel this person deserves to be honored? : Jeff has lived and worked in Los Osos since 1978 (44 years), he has been very involved in the community as land use planner and real estate broker ever since.

Over the last 20+ years he has belonged to the SLO County Adopt-a-Road program for 5 miles of Los Osos Valley Road, he can be seen picking up trash weekly somewhere on his stretch of road from Foothill Blvd. to Clark Valley Rd. The signs posted on his stretches memorialize four Los Osos young people whose lives were tragically cut short by accidents.

Five years ago he stepped up to take over tree planting and habitat restoration of the northeast corner of Los Osos Valley Road and South Bay Blvd. He cultivates native plants from seed/acorn and plants them on the corner, the California Poppy show that occurs every Spring is phenomenal.

Jeff purposely does not have signs bearing his name on these stretches of road or the corner, he doesn't ask for recognition, he enjoys spending his Sundays calling his work in these places "Going to Church."

Jeff's green thumb and "get'er done" attitude have led to thousands of hours of trash collection and thousands of native trees and shrubs planted throughout Los Osos. Did you know he planted the oaks along Pecho Valley Rd., along the eastern edge of the Monarch Grove development? Did you know he planted more oaks along Binscarth Rd., from Nancy Ave. to Pecho Rd.? He also was the original planter and maintainer of the LOVR median in front of the Ralph's Shopping Center. All of these trees were established at his time and expense.

Jeff has been a hands-on Dad, father to Margay (now deceased) and Jack who attended local schools. Jeff's contribution to the schools by way of donations and support, can't be calculated.

Additionally, Jeff served for many years on the Los Osos Community Services Financial Advisory Committee, where he scrutinized and shaped the agency's budgets and expenditures.

Most Los Ososians don't know that Jeff was instrumental in establishing the 3rd Street Access (at Santa Lucia Ave.) that leads onto the beach at the Bay. Neighbors have taken over its maintenance, but without Jeff, it might not be an access point to this day. Hundreds of people use and enjoy that access on daily walks and for kayak drop-ins.

Jeff, has a gruff approach, but those who know him well, know that he is wickedly smart and has a heart of gold. He can be caught helping out without being asked and pitching in when no one notices.

Jeff would be embarrassed to know I have nominated him for LO Citizen of the Year. He would never expect it. But, every year when this opportunity comes around I think people should know how much he does/has done for the community without being acknowledged or appreciated. I know. I appreciate him, the trees and shrubs he nurtures from seed (in the hundreds of pots in our backyard), his intense love of this community and his willingness to dig in and get his hands dirty without being asked. He may have planted more trees in Los Osos than the original tree planter, Richard Otto.

By the way, Jeff donates his trees to anyone who has a place to plant them and is willing to take on their maintenance. He is quite knowledgeable about their care and is happy to help get them in the ground.