In May, League members Valerie Rosman and Kate Lunceford spent the day on the grass-covered grounds of the former dump in Tacoma that now house the transfer station and the Tacoma urban forest nursery. We met 74 other tree nerds looking at barriers and opportunities to grow urban forests. There is a role for community groups to get this work done if we collaborate!
American Forests explains that it and “the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) launched the Washington State Tree Equity Collaborative, the first statewide partnership focused on Tree Equity. The Collaborative aims to expand and fortify neighborhood tree canopy cover by engaging cities, community organizations and stakeholders to build more rigorous and inclusive urban forestry programs across the state.
“DNR is using American Forests’
Tree Equity Score tool to prioritize expanding equitable tree cover in the neighborhoods that need it most, as 85% of urbanized neighborhoods in the Evergreen State have inadequate tree cover. Through the partnership, American Forests will expand Tree Equity Score to cover all Washington cities, and DNR will work with jurisdictions, Tribes, nonprofits and other partners to raise all urban census block groups to a score of 75% or higher.”
If you are interested in helping build collaboration in Snohomish County contact
Kate Lunceford.