About the Collaborative
In April 2023, American Forests 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 expanded Tree Equity Score to cover all Washington cities, with additional parcel level detail and planning tools. DNR and American Forests are working with jurisdictions, Tribes, nonprofits and other partners to raise all urban census block groups to a score of 75 or higher through technical support and peer-to-peer networking and learning.
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Get Involved
Interested in learning more about the Washington State Tree Equity Collaborative? Contact DNR Engagement Specialist Elizabeth Walker or American Forests Director of PNW & West Coast Drue Epping.
The Washington State Tree Equity Collaborative will be hosting gatherings focused on providing technical assistance and, space for creative collaborations and learnings. This Spring we are headed to cities across the State for all-day workshops designed to support communities in advancing equitable urban forestry plans and policies using the American Forests Tree Equity Handbook.
Register here for upcoming events.
Resources
Visit DNR’s Urban Forestry webpage to learn more about the state’s programs and sign up for updates through the TreeLink newsletter. Explore national urban forestry resources through American Forests’ Research and Reports page and explore local urban and community forestry resources through Vibrant Cities Lab.
Tree Equity Collaborative Steering Committee
| Name | Title | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| Zandria Michaud | Kent City Councilperson | Association of Washington Cities Kent City Council UCF Advisory Council Member |
| Mike Carey | City Forester | City of Tacoma |
| Megan Dunn | Snohomish County Councilperson | Snohomish County Council Washington Association of Counties UCF Advisory Council Member |
| Alicia Harvie | Community & Government Affairs | REI Co-op |
| Lilliane Ballesteros | Executive Director | Latino Community Fund |
| Jillisa Winkler | Program Coordinator | Carl Maxey Center |
| Amanda Parish | Executive Director | The Lands Council |
| Hannah Kett | Urban Programs Director | The Nature Conservancy |
| Lowell Wyse | Executive Director | Tacoma Tree Foundation |
| Phil Bennett | Superintendent, Stormwater & Urban Forestry Division | City of Snoqualmie |
| Emma Greenwood | Forest Ecologist | Spokane Tribe |
| Lauren Jenks | Assistant Secretary | Washington State Department of Health |
| Lauren Urgenson | Urban Forestry Advisor | City of Seattle |
| Joanna Nelson de Flores | Urban Forestry Program Manager | King County |
