Areas of work moving forward: Fall 2025
2025 City Council candidates
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Send General Election Questionnaires on updating the Tree Ordinance and increasing tree protections to City Council and Mayoral candidates.
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Raise money and organize to help elect new tree friendly candidates to the open City Council seats, Mayoral and other seats.
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Send urban forestry news and information to City Council and candidates.
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Attend candidate forums.
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Ask candidates questions via e-mail, phone calls and other personal contact.
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Assist and donate to candidates who support fixing the ordinance and growing our urban forest.
One Seattle Comprehensive Plan update:
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Monitor and respond to the Environmental Impact Statement and amendments to the 2025 Comprehensive Plan and legislation implementing HB 1110.
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Maintain 30% city wide tree canopy goal by 2037 by developing a plan to reach it.
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Prioritize retention of existing tree canopy, particularly mature trees, and planting new trees in low canopy areas for environmental equity and climate resilience
Ordinance Update:
- Draft language for proposed amendments to close development loopholes to save trees.
- Close “basic” tree protection area loophole
- Do an independent evaluation of the Tree Ordinance by an outside consulting firm.
- Urge creation of a new Department of Climate and Environment with an Urban Forestry Division.
- Advocate for a Natural Capital Assessment of Seattle’s natural resources.
Other Actions:
- Prepare for 2026 Washington State Legislature
- Multi-county zoom meeting of local Tree Organizations to discuss mutual concerns regarding Tree Ordinances, Comprehensive Plan Updates and other issues.