Tag Archives: NPI/TreePAC poll

Links to 3 polls done by the Northwest Progressive Institute on Seattle Trees

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Below are links to 3 polls done by the Northwest Progressive Institute showing strong support for protecting Seattle’s trees and urban forests.

1. https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2021/09/seattle-voters-overwhelmingly-favor-policies-to-protect-and-expand-the-citys-tree-canopy.html

Seattle voters overwhelmingly favor policies to protect and expand the city’s tree canopy – NPI’s Cascadia Advocate
In July of 2021, we teamed up with TreePAC to investigate support for a a range of sensible ideas for creating policy tools to protect trees. Majorities of over 75% and 80% endorsed every single one of our ideas.
www.nwprogressive.org

2. https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2021/12/second-set-of-seattle-tree-protection-poll-findings-affirms-voters-value-urban-forests.html

Second set of Seattle tree protection poll findings affirms voters value urban forests – NPI’s Cascadia Advocate
Respondents to NPI’s October 2021 general election survey of the Seattle electorate are in strong agreement that the city should update its tree ordinance to strengthen tree protection policies, with more than seven in ten voters backing a majority of ideas tested.

3. https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2023/03/two-thirds-of-seattle-voters-concerned-about-tree-loss-with-housing-density-increasing.html

Two-thirds of Seattle voters concerned about tree loss with housing density increasing – NPI’s Cascadia Advocate
68% of 651 likely February 2023 special election voters interviewed from January 26th-30th for NPI by Change Research said they were concerned about tree and canopy loss, while 30% said they were not. Only 1% were not sure.
www.nwprogressive.org

Comments by Tina Cohen Certified Arborist on the NPI/Tree PAC Tree Poll

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Tina Cohen, Certified Arborist Northwest Arborvitae Seattle WA 

 I’m Tina Cohen and I’m a retired Certified Arborist. In my career I worked with both developers and tree preservationists.  

 I’ve been very discouraged by the cognitive dissonance of climate change and continued tree removal. If asked, most people will tell you they love trees and then add: BUT if they’re in the way or messy or remotely a hazard, then they should be cut down. Developers would tell me how much they love trees and at the same time they would remove all of them for a project.  

 Our existing large trees are a cheap and effective way to combat localized climate change. Besides providing obvious shade, they sequester carbon and help prevent erosion and flooding. UW’s Kathy Wolf and USDA Forest Service have done endless studies proving the value of trees.  Large trees provide more benefits than small trees. The Seattle Municipal Code should reflect this and only allow removals if a tree is a hazard under existing conditions (not future development). 

 I urge the City to follow their existing code and in addition:  

  • During development permitting, the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspection, SDCI, must require design modifications to allow adequate root and canopy space for saved trees. This is already allowed in the Directors Rule. Otherwise the trees will not survive long term. 
  • The Seattle Department of Transportation currently requires credentials for arborists working on Right of Way trees. The City should adopt the same.  
  • Replacement trees should be required if there’s adequate space for the roots and canopy at maturity (50 years). Otherwise change the design or add trees elsewhere.  
  • I agree with the Urban Forestry Commission that Seattle needs a central tree portal or department for permits and inspections. Currently it’s spread among several departments.  
  • We can have development AND trees, however McMansions and other projects that cover an entire lot are not compatible with tree retention. The Code should be changed to require more open space (less lot coverage) to allow for large trees.  

 In conclusion, our elected officials have long delayed the update to Seattle’s Tree Ordinance, and SDCI fails to enforce our existing code. We need to change this before every tree is cut. 

 Tina Cohen, ISA Certified Arborist #PN0245A 

ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified 

Member American Society of Consulting Arborists 

Registered Consulting Arborist #473, retired