Saturday, Oct. 12
See Below
Volunteers are needed at sites across the city.
Specific site details and registration information can be found here: http://tacoma.cedar.greencitypartnerships.org/event/map/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Green Tacoma Day Contributes to a Healthier Puget Sound
Contact
Green Tacoma Day:
Jennifer Chang, Forterra Green Cities Project Coordinator
253-383-7245
jchang@forterra.org
Arbor Day:
Ramie Pierce, City of Tacoma Urban Forester
(253) 591-2048
Join the Green Tacoma Partnership (GTP) on Saturday, October 12 for a fun-filled morning of restoration work, Fall Tree Festival, Arbor Day activities and more as we celebrate the sixth annual Green Tacoma/Arbor Day. This is the second year in which Tacoma’s Arbor Day has combined efforts with Green Tacoma Day, providing Tacoma residents more opportunities to volunteer. All are welcome and no experience is necessary for participation in restoration and tree-planting projects.
Green Tacoma Day is an annual celebration of GTP’s work restoring 1,881 acres of public green space, while Arbor Day is an annual celebration of planting and growing trees. These celebrations offer a number of great opportunities for the Tacoma community to come out and volunteer in their neighborhoods.
“The Green City Days are an amazing demonstration of community-driven problem solving in action,” said Kory Kramer, Forterra’s Green Cities Program Manager. “Our forested parklands are threatened by invasive species. Volunteer restoration events such as these remove invasive species and restore native forests while fostering a sense of civic and community pride. Tacoma’s continued support of this important work is critical for achieving regional stewardship goals.”
Restoring, planting and growing trees in urban areas is critical for maintaining the values that natural infrastructure provides for the community. Natural infrastructure such as green spaces and trees are assets that beautify and strengthen our neighborhoods. They provide us with clean air and water, stormwater retention and reduced flooding, habitat for wildlife, carbon sequestration, noise buffers, and natural spaces where residents can connect with nature and take a break from the built environment. Successful restoration will lead to a healthier Puget Sound and a higher quality of life for urban residents.
Tacoma, Seattle, Kent, Kirkland, Redmond and Everett make up the Green Cities Network. Collectively they are working to restore 7,500 acres of publicly-owned urban forests and natural areas serving a population of more than 1.1 million people. More than 2,000 Puget Sound residents are expected to volunteer at Green City Days around the region.
“Green Tacoma/Arbor Day is an excellent opportunity for folks to learn more about their natural environment, get tips for natural yard and tree care, get dirty and/or find other ways to get involved or help Tacoma grow our urban forest sensibly,” said Ramie Pierce, City of Tacoma’s Urban Forester.
“The Green Tacoma Partnership helps to make Tacoma’s great parks that much better and more beneficial. Volunteers play a critical role in the work. Green Tacoma Day is one of the best opportunities for people to get involved each year, and one of the most fun, as well,” said Joe Brady, Metro Parks Natural Resources Manager.
REI and TAGRO are sponsoring Green Tacoma/Arbor Day this year, helping the event grow and accomplish even more work than previous years.
In addition to large community volunteer events like Green Tacoma/Arbor Day, there are plenty of opportunities to learn more about Puget Sound ecology through continuing education opportunities as well as participate in smaller restoration work parties throughout the fall in all six Green Cities. More information can be found through http://www.forterra.org/what_we_do/build_community/green_cities
Details for Green Tacoma/Arbor Day
When: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Saturday, Oct 12th, 2013
Where: First Creek, Franklin Park, Garfield Gulch, Gog le hi te, Julia’s Gulch, McKinley Park, Oak Tree Park, Puget Creek, Swan Creek Park, Tacoma Nature Center, Tacoma Community College, Titlow Park, Wapato Hills and Wright Park with many fun, family-oriented activities.
Specific site details and registration information can be found here: http://tacoma.cedar.greencitypartnerships.org/event/map/
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About the Green Cities Program
The Green Cities Program began in 2004, when the City of Seattle and Forterra (then Cascade Land Conservancy) joined together to commit to restore and maintain 2,500 acres of Seattle’s forested parkland in 20 years. The City of Seattle and Forterra worked together to craft a 20-Year Strategic Plan, and we have been implementing that plan ever since. Building from the success of the Green Seattle Partnership, Forterra has helped to launch five more Green City Partnerships in the Puget Sound region, expanding the Green Cities Network to include Kirkland, Tacoma, Redmond, Kent, and Everett. Along the way, Forterra has worked with other local non-profits, community groups and city agencies, neighborhood leaders and local businesses, to support healthy urban natural areas for the future of our region.
Kory Kramer
Forterra | Green Cities Program Manager
Formerly Cascade Land Conservancy
T 206 905 6923 | C 253 343 4293 | W www.forterra.org
CREATING GREAT COMMUNITIES
and CONSERVING GREAT LANDS
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