HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/05/2024 00. Misc. Distributed at the Meeting Distributed at the
Meeting 3/c/A9y
UNDER COVER
State offers funding to heir add treest g
Yakima neighborhoods
JASPER KENZO SUNDEEN
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
Yakima will be part of a '''' ' '
statewide effort to increase T
tree cover and greenspace in40 Continued from Page 3A
Washington's cities.
Low-income communities Franz said the Department of Natural
and people of color often have Resources is using a tree equity tool
less access to green spaces and developed by American Forests,a national
fewer trees in their community, nonprofit focused on managing and t
Commissioner of Public Lands conserving forests.
Hilary Franz said during a stop at
The tool creates maps and tree equity A
Yakima's Martin Luther King Jr.
Park on Wednesday. scores for neighborhoods based on local tree 1
She said the city will receive a
canopy,environmental,economic and socialx.
``�. factors.
$20,000 grant for an urban forest t ' • In Yakima,those scores range from 100,the -, .
plan,the first step in increasing best possible score,to 51.The neighborhood
the tree cover in many Yakima around Martin Luther King Jr.Park
neighborhoods.This project is part
of the state Department of Natural , registered a score of 63.Franz is targeting a
• goal of 85 in every neighborhood in the state.
Resources'goals of healthier and Herrera,who lives in and represents the
more forested communities. community around the park,noted that low-
Franz was joined by Yakima City and moderate-income households,as well
Council Member Danny Herrera as migrant and immigrant workers,made up
and Cristina Ortega,statewide most of the neighborhood.
manager of civic engagement "It is here,in this community,that this is
and advocacy for the Latino important,"Herrera said.
Community Fund.All three noted
the benefits of trees,including '.4
more shade,cleaner air and lower
temperatures on hot days. an urban forest management education,outreach and workforce surrounded by more asphalt and
"Having tree equity is plan.It will help local officials planning to enact the plan. concrete,"Franz said."We believe
something that affects us every and the Department of Natural "Decades of underinvestment access to clean air,cooling shade
day,"Ortega said."We deserve for Resources determine where to in urban trP'rannnv omit-Arad „�„