L.A.'s One Million Tree Initiative
Los Angeles is known mostly for its palm trees. But more trees of all types will be planted in the coming years. One million, to be exact. (Bon Bon)
Most people see Los Angeles as a concrete jungle, or a place where palm trees grow. But Los Angeles’ Million Trees Initiative could change both views.
The project has enlisted the help of the Center for Urban Forestry Research, which used both satellite imagery and aerial photography to map a plan for planting one million trees – possibly shade trees, like oaks – in Los Angeles. Here’s the center’s director, Greg McPherson.
Greg McPherson: We’re developing a tree planting scenario which will put a million trees throughout the city to fill up that space in a way that seems equitable based upon some target increases in tree canopy. And, then we’re going to project what the benefits of the million tree planting will be.
Benefits may include improved air quality, decreased dependence on air conditioning, and reduced storm water runoff. And, as McPherson sees it, there’s just something good about having a tree nearby.
Greg McPherson: We’re really depending on an environment that is in balance in order to survive. And we need to understand our connection to the natural world. So, I think trees in the city provide a way that we can do that right at home.
Our thanks today to NASA: explore, discover, understand.
“We may not realize it but actually we live in a forest,” said McPherson. “The urban forest is all of the vegetation in our communities. So, it’s kind of the sum aggregate of shrubs and trees… You can think of it as a habitat for people.”
The project’s studies and maps have shown a correlation between canopy cover and income level in Los Angeles. Low-income areas have significantly fewer trees than surrounding areas. The project has targeted these areas for tree planting, where there could be high potential for benefits.
“Low-income areas tend to have higher incidents of asthma and respiratory disease,” McPherson says. “Sometimes they’re located adjacent to freeways, areas where there are high concentrations of pollutants. So, adding a layer of green in those areas will help filter out the small particulates and some of the ozone and gaseous pollutants.”
Our thanks to:
Greg McPherson
Director
Center for Urban Forest Research
USDA Forest Service, PSW
University of California
Davis, CA
Additional Teacher Resources
Center for Urban Forest Research: Trees in Our Cities PowerPoints
The Center for Urban Forest Research has developed a series of PowerPoint presentations that highlight how planting trees in urban areas benefits both humans and the environment. Click on a map of the U.S. to find your climate zone and corresponding PowerPoint.
USDA Forest Service: Tree Planting Lesson Plan
In this lesson plan on tree planting, students calculate the number of tree saplings needed for a specific area. They also learn about the parts of a tree, how to plant a tree, the meaning of conservation, and more.
USDA Forest Service: Home Page
From the home page of the USDA Forest Service, you can find the national forests and grasslands in your state, information on grants available through the More Kids in the Woods project, maps and brochures of national forests and grasslands, and more.
