The Roy Street Cedar in Madison Valley was a century-old cedar growing on the edge of a lot under construction, but its removal was allowed because it was in an Environmentally Critical Area (ECA). Yes you read that right. It’s easier than ever to cut down trees growing in Seattle’s greenbelts, riparian forests and on steep slopes.

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Madison Valley is a frontline community with just 19% tree canopy compared to Seattle’s average of 28%. The Roy Street Cedar was on a steep slope ECA, anchoring the slope and providing shade in a growing urban heat island. This tree was replaced with a cement wall and bushes, per the ECA code, which requires that slopes be be “stabilized” with concrete walls and  “revegetated” with shrubs. 

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Thanks to the developer lobby’s influence on city leaders, it’s open season on trees in Seattle’s Environmentally Critical Areas. But we won’t sacrifice climate resilience for quick profits for a few. 

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How to Help

Most people in Seattle enjoy trees, and most people think they’re protected. They couldn’t be more wrong. Please help us spread awareness of what’s really happening – it’s the most powerful way to grow our community’s numbers and voice, and you can help in two specific ways:

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1. Print and distribute this pamphlet (color or b&w) to 5 people you know in Seattle, or place it in a local shop or venue you love.
2. Subscribe to our newsletter, and forward it to like-minded friends who love our climate and trees but don’t know our urban forest is at risk.