www.saveshorelinetrees.com

TREE OF THE MONTH

Save Shoreline Trees has started a new monthly addition to our newsletter and website - a photo essay about a specific tree well loved and appreciated. If you have a tree that you would like to write about and share, email SST at saveshorelinetrees@gmail.com.

The Pacific Madrone: A Northwest Mainstay
The Pacific madrone holds a special place in the Northwest imagination, both as a symbol of our unique environment and as a sacred living entity among our region’s Indigenous peoples.  One of the oldest and best examples of Pacific madrone in Shoreline resides in Richmond Beach, on 20th Avenue NW, the road leading into the saltwater park.  This tree (see photo) is 100 years old, and may be much older….

Visit https://www.saveshorelinetrees.com/tree-of-the-month to read this month’s article by Kathy Kaye, SST Advisory Board member about the Pacific Madrone.

SST NOW HAS 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT STATUS

Save Shoreline Trees (SST) was recently granted IRS 501(c)(3) status in March 2021, and all donations are tax deductible. A 501(c)(3) organization cannot actively participate in endorsing candidates for office, contribute to political campaigns or lobby on behalf of legislation. A 501(c)(3) organization can inform, educate, and ask questions. What does this mean for Save Shoreline Trees? In response to this designation, the members who contributed and submitted the tree protection codes to the City of Shoreline in 2020 for consideration in 2021 will now work as a separate group instead of a Save Shoreline Trees committee.  Save Shoreline Trees as a 501(c)(3) can inform the public and provide information about the progress of the tree protection code work on the SST website and in the monthly newsletter.

Save Shoreline Trees is an all-volunteer organization. Your donations are appreciated. Donations are Tax Deductible

Save Shoreline Trees is a WA Nonprofit Corporation,
IRS (501)(c)(3) ID #84-4621564

PRCS/TREE BOARD - NEW BOARD MEMBERS

The Parks, Recreational, Cultural Services/Tree Board welcomed four new members at their meeting on April 22, 2021. The role of the PRCS/Tree Board is advisory, but Shoreline had many applicants for the open positions. The new members are Genevieve Arredondo, Jean Hilde, Dustin McIntyre and Noah Weil. These new members have lived in Shoreline from 5 - 26 years in different Shoreline neighborhoods. The meeting minutes will be published on the City website on the PRCS/Tree Board past meeting page.

During this meeting, the following pertinent comments about trees came from (1) Kirk Peterson, Parks Superintendent, who said that there are approximately 11,000 ROW public street trees and that a street tree survey is currently underway. 
(2) Light Rail project manager, Juniper Nammi discussed the tree replacement program for 1,173 trees removed in Fall 2019 along I-5. By 2023, a total of 7,400 trees, 59% evergreen and 41% deciduous, will be planted on WSDOT property along the I-5 corridor, (13 years maintenance), and Sound Transit and City properties (5 year maintenance on critical areas; 3 year maintenance on non-critical areas).

WE SPEAK FOR THE TREES

The Douglas fir in photos below was protected for 34 years by its owner but was removed due to boundary constriction which compromised the ability for this tree to thrive. This story is repeating all over Shoreline as a consequence of development. It is important to speak for these trees. With some thought and purposeful planning, development can coexist with established mature trees. We appreciate the generous donation in memory of this majestic tree which will enable Save Shoreline Trees to communicate this message to residents and developers, that every one of these tall trees is valuable and worth saving. Photos by Stuart Niven, PanorArborist.

PARK BOND BALLOTS BEING COUNTED

Special election returns can be viewed at King County April 27 election link
These are not final results. Scroll to bottom of “King County Vote” page to see date and time of report, usually updated Monday - Friday end of day. The April 27 special election will be certified on Friday, May 7.

Note: the ballot count has to reach 14,092 for the Park Bond to pass.

To pass, bond measures must validate in two ways:

1) A minimum voter turnout of 40% of the voters who cast ballots in the 
November 3, 2020 general election. (14,092)
2) Percent to pass: 60% of those voting (8,455 "yes" votes needed to pass)
Info from FAQ, page 4.

 
Proposition 1: Park Improvements & Park Land Acquisition Bond Measure $38.5 million. Shoreline Proposition 1 Information
FAQ about Proposition 1; City Informational Mailer 

TREE REMOVALS CONTRIBUTE TO CLIMATE CRISIS

The City of Shoreline recently published the 2020 Sustainability Report, which includes a timeline of the trees removed along I-5 in 2019 and tree replacement information (see page 16). The supporting analysis states a Douglas-fir’s CO2 peak annual sequestration at age 67 is 310 kilograms per year (1).  According to research by Forterra, Shoreline’s Greenshore partner, 
“one Douglas-fir is expected to sequester 14 tons of carbon in the first 100 years” (2).  And, a study by the U.S. Geological Survey “found that large older trees are serious biocarbon heavyweights” (3). 

Sound Transit started planting new replacement trees in 2020. As indicated in the Cascadia analysis most of the 7400 new trees to be planted by Sound Transit will take approximately “… 28 years to sequester an equivalent amount of CO2 as the trees removed” (4)  which will be 2048. This estimate can be transferred to tree replacement programs taking place all over Shoreline now.

Per Forterra research, a conservative estimate is that 50% of tree seedlings survive. Survival rate according to forestry specialist and author Kevin Zobrist, “can range from 0% to 100% depending on the site, species, seedling quality, planting density, skill of the planter, post planting care, competing vegetation, [and] weather during the first few years after planting…”(5). 

In summary, tree replacements that are being planted in Shoreline now can take 12-15 years to be counted in the tree canopy (6). It takes 28 years for Douglas-fir replacement trees to provide equivalent carbon sequestration of the mature conifer trees that have been removed and are being removed. It is important to consider the loss of carbon sequestration and the consequences to Shoreline’s tree canopy as more and more conifer trees are removed every month in Shoreline.  
Comment by Kathleen Russell to City Council, 4.26.2021  

(1) Cascadia Consulting Group Analysis, Dec. 2020, “Tree Removals and Plantings” page 5
(2) Evergreen Carbon Capture: Planting Trees & Carbon Sequestration
(3) U.S. Geological Study 
(4) Cascadia Consulting Group Analysis, Dec. 2020, “Tree Removals and Plantings” page 2
(5) Email from Kevin W. Zobrist, Professor, Extension Forestry, Washington State University, April 23, 2021
(6) Conversation with Eric Friedli, former City PRCS/Tree Board Director, and Save Shoreline Trees representatives, March 14, 2020

CONCERNS ABOUT REMOVAL OF EVERGREENS

Save Shoreline Trees supporter, Rebecca Jones reminded the City Council on April 26, 2021 of the following: 

“We need established evergreens TODAY, not in 10-30 years. As evidenced by the rampant removal of so many established trees, the community can’t count on future plantings to be allowed to thrive. Our planet is heating up, requiring more from the trees we still have than ever before. As one example, we have already stepped into fire season in our country with seven uncontained fires reported as of today [4/26/21] by the National Interagency Fire Center.

I’m concerned about what long-term damage has been done by removing so many trees in our area and changing our environment so drastically in a short amount of time. I’m concerned about the loss of our rich and unique ecosystem in Shoreline and the greater Western Washington area. I am also concerned that future leaders will just continue to model the current attitude of removing trees to build new things.

With these concerns in mind, I ask the council to consider what is the environmental legacy you are leaving for future residents and leaders in Shoreline? “

CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER

Information: 

City of Shoreline Council positions 1, 3, 5, 7 are up for election/re-election this November. These Council seats include position (1) Councilmember McGlashan; position (3) Mayor Hall; position (5) Councilmember Chang; and, position (7) Councilmember Roberts. The City of Shoreline does not have Council term limits. Council terms are four years. Potential candidates may file online with King County beginning May 17 at 9 a.m. and ending May 21 at 4 p.m. For more information go to King County Election Information.

Note: Position 3 is a Council position. “The City Council chooses a Mayor and Deputy Mayor from among its members at the first meeting of the new year following an election.” See City Council link on the City website. 

IS THERE A PERMIT TO REMOVE THAT TREE?

In Shoreline Municipal Code (SMC) there are many regulations regarding tree removal so it is best to call Planning and Community Development at 206.801.2500 before cutting down a tree(s). To check if a tree being cut down has a permit, you will need the address.  Call the Customer Response Team (CRT) at 206.801.2700. If the tree removal does not have a permit, tell the staff you would like the tree situation investigated.  It is also helpful if you provide a photo or additional information including the name of the tree company. You can provide your name or do this anonymously.

SAVE THE DATE! SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

We are excited to announce the date and location of our first annual Save Shoreline Trees Fundraiser! It will be held September 9, 2021 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Dunn Gardens, https://dunngardens.org, with a served dinner, silent auction and raffle, guest lectures and guided walks among the beautiful gardens. Stay tuned for more updates!

If you have been looking for a way to support Save Shoreline Trees we are seeking a few volunteers to help with this event. Contact Melody at saveshorelinetrees@gmail.com.

Contributors to this newsletter: 
Melody Fosmore, Rebecca Jones, Kathy Kaye, Kathleen Russell, and Susanne Tsoming. 
Questions or comments may be emailed to saveshorelinetrees@gmail.com.