SAVING TREES + FIGHTING FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE

In the Emerald City
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6
November
1 p.m. or 5 p.m.
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Speak Up for an Independent Urban Forestry Department

November 6, 2025 at 1 p.m. (remote) or 5 p.m. (in-person)
Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Ave, Seattle

Join us to support CM Saka's statement of intent to explore creating an independent urban forestry department.

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4,500

Trees have been removed in Seattle since the beginning of 2024, when we implemented our failing tree ordinance.

We are 5th nationwide for urban heat islands, caused by tree and greenspace loss.

Source: City of Seattle

This is what Seattle's trees need

An Independent Urban Forestry Division.

Seattle’s trees are managed by nine different agencies, leading to confusion, enforcement issues, and deeply concerning conflicts of interest. Let’s join other major U.S. cities in having an independent urban forestry division.

A Strong Tree Ordinance.

Seattle’s 2023 tree ordinance allows the removal of trees of any size on private property during construction. With over half of our city’s urban forest growing on private property, this is a slap in the face to climate justice. Let’s build a better tree code ASAP.

Fair and Accurate Measurement.

Seattle’s latest tree canopy study is not up to national standards, and the city has refused to release raw study data.  We’re asking for what every other major city already does: tree canopy studies at the 10-foot level with volume measurements.

Tree-Space For All.

Seattle's urban forest is too concentrated in the whitest and wealthiest neighborhoods. We need to democritize access to trees. We are asking the city for minimum tree canopy on every property, planted or preserved.