LOS ANGELES – October 2, 2024 – A new study released from the South LA Tree Coalition (SLATC) – in partnership with USC Dornsife Public Exchange and USC Price School of Public Policy – explores South Los Angeles community leaders’ views on the urban forest and tree equity issues in South L.A. While prior research has documented patterns of injustices leading to urban canopy inequalities in South L.A., this study was developed and conducted in partnership with a community-based organization in South L.A.

The research team conducted interviews with community leaders to explore perspectives, needs, and challenges around urban forestry in South L.A. The findings aim to inform advocacy efforts and increase representation of the area’s diverse communities in tree-related policy and decision-making processes.

“The study shows that community leaders are aware of tree canopy disparities in South L.A. compared to other parts of the city, as well as the health risks associated with the lack of trees,” said Theresa Maysonet, co-founder, South LA Tree Coalition. “Study participants emphasized the importance of local policy makers correcting these systemic inequities. We hope the study’s findings ignite community-led tree planting efforts and lead to a thriving, more equitable urban canopy across Los Angeles.”

Compared to L.A.’s average of 21% tree canopy coverage, South L.A. communities average only about 13% – with some areas falling as low as 5% [TreePeople, Loyola Marymount Center for Urban Resilience (2019). 2016 Tree Canopy Coverage Dataset. Data provided by authors]. This lack of trees contributes to the environmental injustices experienced daily by South L.A. residents. As the City and local decision-makers pledge to expand the urban canopy in high-need communities, the report highlights the importance of elevating the voices of historically underrepresented and marginalized South L.A. residents in tree planning and policy-making.

“Public Exchange has been connecting researchers with community partners to grow a more equitable urban forest in Los Angeles since our work began in 2020. This latest project with SLATC represents a new chapter in our USC Urban Trees Initiative, providing new insights into community member’s diverse perspectives of trees and enabling us to prioritize future research that addresses their needs,” said Monica Dean, Climate and Sustainability Practice Director, USC Dornsife Public Exchange.

Key findings from the report include:

1. Trees in South L.A. play a role in community leaders’ perceptions of neighborhood identity, environmental conditions, as well as public health and safety.
2. Competing priorities, limited resources, and lack of awareness present barriers to tree-related planning efforts in the community.
3. Community leaders value healthy tree canopy in South L.A. and envision a future with equitable and intentional greenery supported by community initiatives and proper maintenance.

“As climate change intensifies, tree shade will become an increasingly important way to stay cool and avoid the worst effects of intense heat,” said Santina Contreras, an Assistant Professor at the USC Price School and the study’s Principal Investigator. “While these facts have been well understood, the voices of vulnerable communities have frequently been left out of the conversation on these issues. Our study works to contribute to this space by identifying key issues and recommendations for future improvement from the perspective of South LA residents. In this way, our findings contribute to efforts to create a robust urban forest in South L.A. in a way that protects and benefits the entire community.”

“It takes a village to get things done, no one agency can build the park, no one agency can maintain the park, no one agency can program the park, no one agency can do any of those things. Together, we can.”

– Study participant

The study’s sample audience focused on community leaders due to their extensive knowledge of broader community needs and interests across South L.A. communities. For the purpose of this study, Service Planning Area (SPA) 6, as defined by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, was used as the bounds for South Los Angeles, which includes the neighborhoods of Athens, Compton, Crenshaw, Florence, Hyde Park, Lynwood, Paramount, and Watts.

The in-depth report (“Rooted Connections: Understanding South Los Angeles Community Leaders’ Relationship to the Urban Forest) is available for download on the USC Dornsife Public Exchange website. The findings will be disseminated widely to local decision-makers, council districts, and neighborhood councils to amplify community voices and advocate for removing barriers to tree planting and planning efforts.

ABOUT SOUTH LA TREE COALITION
The South LA Tree Coalition (SLATC) was founded in 2021 in response to the removal of a grove of protected Sycamore trees in South L.A. for a development project. Their mission is to close equity gaps throughout LA’s urban forest and facilitate the preservation, protection, and growth of South LA’s tree canopy through progressive advocacy and community-based efforts.

ABOUT USC DORNSIFE PUBLIC EXCHANGE
USC Dornsife’s Public Exchange (PX) fast-tracks collaboration between academic researchers and the public and private sectors to define, analyze and move the needle on the world’s most complex issues. PX is delivering research that drives policy, programs & products to build a better future.

ABOUT USC PRICE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY
For more than 90 years, the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy has sought to improve the quality of life for people and communities worldwide through path-breaking research and scholarship.

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Contact:
Nerissa Silao
NRS Public Relations
310-874-9230
nerissa@nrspublicrelations.com

Our Urban Forest: Planning for Trees Workshop
Saturday, February 10
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3901 West Adams Blvd. L.A. 90018

Koreatown Youth and Community Center (KYCC), the South LA Tree Coalition (SLAT), and Council District 10 invite community members to a workshop where you can provide your thoughts on our neighborhood’s trees.

The workshop is part of an effort by the County and City of Los Angeles, who are partnering to create Urban Forest Management Plans (UFMP). These UFMP plans will outline the vision for how we can protect and maintain trees and identify necessary resources, policies, and programs to grow our urban forest and keep it healthy for future generations. Please consider being part of the process by joining in at this neighborhood workshop.

• Everyone is invited, bring your friends and family.
• Share your vision for the future of our urban forest and what your neighborhood needs to grow.
• Snacks and refreshments will be provided and everyone who comes can enter a drawing to win a prize!

Tree Equity is part of the conversation.

Trees are an important part of the City’s infrastructure and a key strategy for protecting residents from urban issues of heat and poor air quality, especially in light of the climate crisis. In Los Angeles, the neighborhoods most impacted by these issues often also have the least tree canopy cover.

The Urban Forest Management Plans will include strategies for tree canopy equity throughout the City. This strategy will consider and include not only priority areas for tree planting and establishment care investments but also tree preservation and maintenance recommendations to ensure existing trees continue to grow and support the City’s tree canopy. Many Los Angeles neighborhoods with low tree canopy have physical limitations (such as narrow parkways or overhead wires) that impact the types of trees that can be planted in public spaces.

More than 12,000 mature trees in Los Angeles may be spared the ax after advocates of tree preservation prevailed in court.

The recent decision by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge found that city leaders had failed to adequately consider the cumulative effects of removing thousands of trees along city streets during its 30-year sidewalk revamp project. The judge has effectively blocked further tree removal until the issue is remedied.

Celebrating their victory, plaintiffs are hopeful the city will work to find solutions that preserve such trees, especially as the plants become increasingly important in the face of more frequent and more extreme heat.

by Grace Toohey, LA Times

Read FULL ARTICLE: “L.A. wanted to cut down 12,000 trees. Advocates stood in the way” at Los Angeles Times online.

In 2019, Mayor Eric Garcetti unveiled an ambitious plan to plant 90,000 trees in Los Angeles by 2021 as part of L.A.’s Green New Deal.

by Jaimie Ding, LA Times

FULL STORY: https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2022-06-21/l-a-wants-to-plant-90-000-trees-but-it-needs-your-help

(Photo by Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)