Monday February 3, 2025
6:00 p.m.
Cookies & Cider from 5:30 p.m.
Where:
University of Puget Sound
Welcome Center – 3211 N 15th St
Presentation Room (#102)
Virtual – Via Zoom
Meeting ID: 882 2046 7648
Passcode: 649767
Expansion of Tacoma’s Urban Forestry Program
As part of the Home in Tacoma approval process the Tacoma City Council removed proposed Tree Preservation regulations and referred them to the Council’s Infrastructure, Planning and Sustainability Committee to immediately initiate a discussion about expanding the City’s Urban Forestry Program.
This meeting starts the community discussion on this critical issue
Agenda:
1) Call to order, adoption of agenda —
2) Introductions and welcome—
3) Announcements —
4) Approval of Minutes
5) Treasurer’s Report
6) Standard Liaison Reports
Police
Tacoma Public Utilities
Tacoma Parks
Fire Department
City Manager’s Office
7) City Council Member Reports
8) Tacoma’s Tree Canopy and Tree Preservation on Private Property
Council Member John Hines
Council Member Olgy Diaz
CM John Hines will lead a discussion on where we’ve been, where we are now, and what’s next—especially in terms of the upcoming IPS Committee discussions on tree preservation for private property. He has asked that this meeting be a chance for him and CM Olgy Diaz to hear directly from the community. Among the policy questions addressing tree preservation on private property, there are key decisions that the Council will need to make, and this is an opportunity for the community to provide their perspective on some of these challenges.
Representatives from the City’s Forestry Department and the Tacoma Tree Foundation will also be at the meeting to join the conversation and answer questions.
9) Old Business
Amici House
Historic District Moratorium
Lowell Elementary School
Rendering Plant
MFTE
10) New Business
11) Adjournment
NOTE: Our next meeting will be Monday, March 3 when we will receive an update on the Cushman/Adams Reuse Study and a presentation on the park trail in the Garfield Gulch and the status of the larger Bayside Trail system connecting to downtown that it is part of.
The Importance of Our Existing Tree Canopy:
“The standing big trees are the canopy we have for the next couple decades, and no amount of planting can fill that short term need. Planting is for the future: our standing trees are for NOW and the future. We can’t afford to lose them.” –Tim Olsen
Puget Sound Forests are Declining!
Over a 24 year period (1972-1996), this is what has happened to
our tree canopy:
• High tree canopy decreased by 37%
• Stormwater runoff increased by 29%
• The canopy that was lost would have removed 35 million pounds of pollutants annually! This finding clearly demonstrates the importance of tree canopy to filter stormwater. (This data was provided from American Forests, 1998)
“Not Just Another Pretty Face”
Who doesn’t love to see the beautiful fall tree foliage? Yet, beyond their obvious beauty, trees provide a multitude of environmental and monetary benefits. Based on research from the Arbor Day Foundation, here are just some of the many economic benefits of urban forestry in the United States,
• $3 Billion in stormwater management
• $5 Billion in air pollution filtration
• $31.5 Billion added annually to property values
• $65 Billion in carbon storage
Why Does Tacoma Have the Lowest Tree Canopy of Any City in the Puget Sound Region??
The ideal urban tree canopy cover is 30% and the average tree canopy in the urban areas of the U.S. is 35%. Note where Tacoma is ranked among the other Puget Sound cities: Mercer Island 48%, Bothell 45%, Kirkland 41%, Redmond 38%, Bellevue 37%, Shoreline 31%, Renton 29%, Seattle 28%, Tukwila 25%, Puyallup 24% and Tacoma 20%.
(See the above map showing Tacoma’s small tree canopy)
Our Big First Steps
• Right of Way tree protections: After almost 100 years, Tacoma’s 1927 tree code was finally updated in Dec. 2023. On that date, our City Council passed Tacoma Municipal Code 9.20 to add protections for trees located on our right of way.
• Heritage Tree Program was created to recognize our City’s most remarkable trees. While it does not protect trees from removal, it acknowledges the contributions these trees make towards our most productive trees. For a current list of these trees and information how to nominate a tree, please go to the website
https://www.cityoftacoma.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=260241
Still, Much to Do!
• To increase Tacoma’s tree canopy from 20% to 30% by 2030. It will take 1 million trees
• To provide the necessary City funding to implement the Urban Forest Management Plan
• To ask the City of Tacoma to take responsibility for the planting and maintenance of our right-of way trees (ROW)
• To develop a city-wide plan to protect large trees on private property
How Can You Help?
• Plant a tree on your own private property — only 22% of Tacoma under City ownership.
• Read Tacoma’s Urban Forest Management Plan and Progress Reports https://www.cityoftacoma.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=260241
• Apply for a $30 Off Tree Coupon
https://www.mytpu.org/community-environment/environmental-stewardship/shade-tree-program/
• Write to our City Council members requesting that they provide adequate funding to achieve their 30% tree canopy by 2030 goal.
• Get involved with the following local organizations that advocate for our City’s Urban Forest
Our Local Tree Advocacy Groups
• Tacoma Tree Foundation (TTF) –Please see their website for information about volunteer opportunities, Tree Shares, Tree Walks, monthly calendar of events, and important articles and educational videos. https://tacomatreefoundation.org/
• Tacoma Urban Forest Friends (TUFF) Please sign the petition that advocates for the protection and expansion of Tacoma’s Urban Forest. https://www.30by30tacoma.com/about
• Communities for a Healthy Bay (CHB) A widespread tree canopy is essential for the health of Tacoma’s Commencement Bay. And that is because trees play a major role in filtering stormwater runoff – which is the number one pollutant of our bay. If we hope to protect our salmon and our resident orca whales, we must have a healthy Puget Sound. https://www.healthybay.org/
Photo is along N. Union Avenue.
Residents benefit from this 80+ year old avenue and right-of-way trees in many ways. Primarily because this sliver of roadway registers about a 30 – 38% canopy. This is what the rest of Tacoma needs to combat effects of increasing heat and experience good health for all of us and nature. Private residents property; businesses and the City must plant, water and maintain existing and new tree plantings. Only will a combined effort allow Tacoma to reach a 30% canopy, the minimum livability standard for cities.
Contact Your North End City Council Members:
CM John Hines represents citizens in District 1 jhines@cityoftacoma.org
CM Sarah Rumbaugh represents citizens in District 2 srumbaugh@cityoftacoma.org
North End Neighborhood Board Members
Direct your questions or comments to: officers@gmail.com
Chair, Peter Bennett – Vice-Chair, Tobi Bet – Treasurer, Jodi Cook – Secretary, Bonnie O’Leary
Joe Tieger – Georgette Reuter – Geoff Corso – Danielle Villegas