Mar Vista Community Forum

FREE TREES TO NEIGH. COUNCILS

The Department of Public Works supports Trees for a Green LA.

Contact: Lauren M. Hirigoyen
(213) 978-0327
(213) 978-0333


DEPARTMENTS OF PUBLIC WORKS AND WATER AND POWER PARTNER WITH CONSERVATION CORPS TO GIVE FREE SHADE TREES TO NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS

LOS ANGELES (January 16, 2003)— The Department of Public Works is supporting the Trees for a Green LA program that will provide neighborhood councils with shade trees for energy savings and environmental benefits, Board of Public Works President Valerie Lynne Shaw announced today.
In partnership with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps and the Department of Water and Power (DWP), community organizations will participate in tree planting workshops led by trained professionals.
These free shade trees will produce naturally cooler temperatures, leading to a reduced air conditioning need. A properly selected and maintained tree can reduce summer cooling costs by 10 to 50 percent. Therefore, residents will use less electricity and incur lower costs while reducing air pollution. The trees also serve to lower the rate of global warming by removing carbon dioxide from the air and reducing carbon dioxide emissions from electricity. With each tree able to trap and hold up to 50 gallons of water, the trees decrease flooding and polluting runoff during the rainy season. Analysis conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service concludes that for every dollar spent, approximately $17.50 will be returned in avoided costs for energy supply and air pollution control.
“The Trees for a Green LA program is a win-win for everyone. The trees will save energy and money and beautify the community,” said Shaw.
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“This program is a natural extension of the Department of Public Works program of maintaining the nation’s largest urban forest, which is comprised by all street trees, park trees, residential trees and naturally occurring trees growing within an urban area,” Shaw added.
The Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Street Services Street Tree Division has been the steward of the city’s urban forest since the 1932 Summer Olympic Games and maintains more than 680,000 street trees growing along public roads. This makes the city’s street tree inventory the largest urban forest in the nation, and possibly the world. With more than 1,000 different species, varieties and cultivators, it also is the most diverse urban forest in the world.
Neighborhood council members can participate in the Trees for a Green LA program but must attend one two-hour workshop and then plant and maintain the trees on their property. Participants will learn how to select the right tree, choose a suitable location, and then plant the tree for optimum growth.
The Department of Public Works is responsible for the construction, renovation and operation of public facilities and infrastructure including curbside collection, graffiti removal, maintenance of sidewalks, streets, bridges, sewers and streetlights, and management of wastewater treatment plants and building design.
Neighborhood council members may contact the Los Angeles Conservation Corps at (213) 362-9000. Additional information is available at www.GreenLA.com, or by calling 1-800-GreenLA.