Are Trees the Threat? Recent Conservation Efforts in the SGV.
It seems like we are inundated with environmental threats every day now. At CNPS-SGM we wanted to share two developments of concern that are taking place currently in our chapter’s proverbial backyard. One is a bit more urgent, the other a work in progress and an example of a community at work.
Proposed Removal of Oaks at Santa Anita Horse Racing Park
In Arcadia the folks who run the Santa Anita Race Track have filed a request to remove 33 Coast LIve Oak trees and one Engelmann oak (and also threatening 45 adjacent trees in the construction area), which they claim is necessary for a proposed cross country equestrian course to be used in the upcoming Olympics. There has been a strong surge of public commentary against this project and encouraging an alternate plan, but organizers are pushing for more community involvement. The removal of so many mature trees seems especially misguided if it is facilitating an event that will last a few weeks. There will be a community meeting where public commentary will be heard this Thursday, August 27th from 5pm to 6:30pm in the Chandelier Room at Santa Anita Park, which is located at 285 W. Huntington Drive in Arcadia. So if you are concerned about this matter, attend the meeting and share your feelings (and share this information with others who might be concerned as well).
More on the proposed removal of trees.
Pasadena School’s Eaton Fire Plan Proposed Tree Removal
Around the beginning of this summer the Pasadena Unified School District unveiled its plan to cut down 193 trees on school properties as part of a soil remediation plan in the wake of the Eaton Fire. The plan came to light rather suddenly with many experts in post-fire remediation questioning various aspects of the proposal. Showing how much they were willing to push back, PUSD at one point passed a resolution to exempt themselves from city regulations regarding protected trees. While many trees were felled, thanks to public opposition, there are about 100 trees that have been saved.
Jessica Richards who is on Pasadena’s Urban Forestry Advisory Committee provided some of the key points of where things stand at the moment. She says that PUSD has appeared to be preserving some of the protected trees now, and acting in “good faith.” They have consented to using air-spading in order to remove soil from around the base of protected status trees on the Longfellow campus, which will preserve the trees. She says, ”I believe the intense public outcry is what initially prompted the district to explore alternatives.” Soil scientists have proposed the use of much less invasive protocols, such as phytoremediation, as alternatives. It is unclear how the district will act going forward, though, and any of the remaining trees on their list are potentially at risk including oaks and sycamores at the PUSD education center, and mature trees at the Blair High School campus.
CNPS-SGM board members Nina Raj and Jennifer LaPlante have been very active in the opposition to Pasadena Unified’s tree removal plan. The public sentiment against this proposal seems to be quite loud, and has spurred a broad spectrum of activism. There have been countless gatherings, including a rally in which famed environmentalist and tree-sitter Julia Butterfly Hill spoke to an audience of over two hundred attendees. Many students have learned proper tree climbing and safety protocols from professional arborists as well. The recognition and reciprocation of public opinion from the school board and administration has been slow at times, but it seems that there is increasing cooperation and the school board and superintendent are potentially open to less invasive and more environmentally friendly solutions. We are invested in keeping track of what happens next.