FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 9, 2010

Seattle – In neighborhoods around Seattle this summer, trees are being counted and measured in an effort to better understand the health, age and extent of the city’s trees. The research is being coordinated by the Cascade Land Conservancy (CLC) in partnership with the US Forest Service, King County, City of Seattle, and University of Washington and will provide important information about the current conditions and environmental benefits provided by our urban trees. By measuring trees in over 200 randomly distributed plots, researchers will be able to quantify how Seattle’s trees contribute to reducing pollution, storing carbon, reducing storm water and saving energy. This information is critical to understanding the current and future management needs of our urban forest in order to develop sound management policies.

Because the plots can fall anywhere in the city, CLC is currently contacting residents for permission to access yards. The assessment crews will collect information on the number of trees in each plot, their species and size, as well as information on the type of ground cover (grass, pavement, etc.). The measurements do not harm the trees in any way and the crew makes every effort to leave no trace of their work. If you were contacted by CLC, please consider responding to help move this project forward. With single family residential property making up 56% of Seattle’s land base, it is important that residential property be included in this research. Residents with questions can contact Lisa Ciecko, Forest Assessment Coordinator for the Cascade Land Conservancy, at lisac@cascadeland.org or 206-905-6924.

About the Cascade Land Conservancy: The Cascade Land Conservancy is the largest land conservation, stewardship and community building organization operating in Washington State with headquarters in Seattle and principal offices in King, Kittitas, Mason, Pierce and Snohomish Counties.  Founded in 1989, the Conservancy has protected 163,000 acres of working forests, farmlands and natural areas as well as estuary lands on the Olympic Peninsula and along the Washington Coast.  It provides stewardship services, caring for more than 12,000 acres of land.  Since 2005 it has been the host organization of The Cascade Agenda, which links conserving great lands with creating great communities. For more information, please visit www.cascadeland.org.

Media contacts:
•    Lisa Ciecko, Forest Assessment Coordinator, Cascade Land Conservancy lisac@cascadeland.org, 206-905-6924
•    Ara Erickson, Green Cities Program Director, Cascade Land Conservancy, area@cascadeland.org, 206-905-6923
•    Steve Dunphy, Vice President of Strategy and Communications, Cascade Land Conservancy steved@cascadeland.org, 206-905-6933