Summary
The Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ new Urban Forestry Program is conducting a study that will prioritize forest enhancement projects in unincorporated communities, building on decades of progress for rural forests.
News
A study launched this spring by the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks will assess the current condition of forest canopy in unincorporated areas, which will inform future actions with communities that promote equitable access to healthy tree canopy.
The project team will study 34 square miles, which includes urban unincorporated communities and the unincorporated rural towns of Fall City, Vashon, and Snoqualmie Pass.
The study is led by the department’s new Urban Forestry Program, building on decades of progress King County foresters have made promoting forest health in rural areas. Promoting healthy urban forests was one of the priorities of King County’s 30-Year Forest Plan and aligns with the county’s Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy, each of which include actions that will contribute to creating healthier communities.
“From reducing heat islands to cleaning our air and water, trees are essential to the health and livability of our communities,” said King County Executive Girmay Zahilay. “King County has promoted healthy, resilient forests in rural areas for decades, an inspiring achievement for environmental stewardship. Now we’re applying a science-based, community-informed approach in urban unincorporated areas so that more kids and families can experience the benefits of healthy tree canopy.”
King County’s 30-Year Forest Plan – launched in 2021 – has seven priority areas, including increasing tree canopy in urban unincorporated areas with a focus on areas with the lowest canopy cover while maintaining and improving the health of existing urban forests.
“One of the big takeaways in the 30-year Forest Plan was that while we see relatively stable forest cover in our rural areas, we’re seeing a decline in our urban areas,” said Joanna Nelson de Flores, who manages King County’s Urban Forestry Program. “This, along with urban forestry actions called out in the King County Strategic Climate Action Plan and Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy, made a strong case for a focused effort in our more developed communities.”
Data from the study will be layered with other information, including heat exposure, air quality, health metrics, and other demographic data.
“This can show us where people are most vulnerable to extreme heat, or where respiratory disease is a problem, and how that lines up with low tree canopy,” Nelson de Flores said. “Instead of planting trees wherever we happen to have space, we can focus on the places where trees will make the biggest difference for people’s health and quality of life.”
The study is funded by the USDA Forest Service, in partnership with State of Washington Department of Natural Resources, Urban and Community Forestry Program, and through King Conservation District’s Jurisdiction Grant program.
King County’s Urban Forestry Program is co-led by two divisions at the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, the Water and Land Resources Division and the Parks and Recreation Division.
Quotes
“From reducing heat islands to cleaning our air and water, trees are essential to the health and livability of our communities. King County has promoted healthy, resilient forests in rural areas for decades, an inspiring achievement for environmental stewardship. Now we’re applying a science-based, community-informed approach in urban unincorporated areas so that more kids and families can experience the benefits of healthy tree canopy.”
Girmay Zahilay
King County Executive
Contact
Doug Williams, Department of Natural Resources and Parks