Forest Protection
If we want to address climate change, we must protect our forests.
SSCAN leaders and volunteers work to protect tree canopy in South Seattle and beyond. We do so because our remaining mature trees and forests are critical to the health and well being of people and the planet. As one of our leaders wrote, “Trees are critical infrastructure that provide benefits everyone should have. They clean and cool the air, reduce flooding, lower energy costs, and are associated with reduced crime, improved mental health, and local economic vitality. Tree equity would mean that all people would equally benefit from the presence of trees in their neighborhoods. But, in the words of American Forests: “A map of tree cover is too often a map of income and race — especially in cities. That’s because trees are often sparse in socioeconomically disadvantaged urban neighborhoods and some neighborhoods of color. The inequitable distribution of trees exacerbates social inequities.”
The projects that we support and amplify are determined by the interest and leadership of our members and volunteers. One of the major groups we are involved with is the Defenders of Highline Forest and North SeaTac Park which is working to protect North SeaTac Park and its recreational amenities and to restore and expand the guardian trees and forest ecosystem inside and within ten miles of this beautiful 200+ acre urban oasis. The Community Forest Consensus is informed by the input of many community members who call for securing North SeaTac Park as a park in perpetuity and for preserving and expanding tree canopy within ten miles of SeaTac International Airport to protect residents from disproportionate harm caused by airport-related pollution.
To learn more about the work of the Defenders of North SeaTac Park and the Defenders of Highland Forest, go here: https://www.kctreeequity.org/. Protection of the Highline Forest is not yet on this region’s public policy agenda. Because of this we are amplifying their call for financial support. You can donate Here.
Donations are currently not tax deductible but they are working on it!