EVERETT, SEPT 25: The Snohomish Conservation District is collaborating with the City of Everett to plant thousands of trees to increase the Urban Forest Canopy in designated communities by the end of 2028.
The goal of the project is to increase the tree canopy in specific neighborhood areas that have historically lacked sufficient trees, Alberto Vazquez, city parks & facilities outreach coordinator, wrote in an email.
Eligible locations are in Twin Creeks, Westmont, Evergreen, Pinehurst, Riverside, Port Gardner and Delta neighborhoods. A full map of the designated areas can be found here.
The trees will help address environmental issues by creating livable and walkable neighborhoods, increasing air quality and environmental health, and improving social equity through access to nature, the program website reads.
This partnership is fully grant-funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, and it also includes areas in the City of Marysville and Tulalip Lands, Vazquez wrote.
The Snohomish Conservation District is providing 7,000 free trees for the program. In Everett alone, 3,790 are projected to be planted, Vazquez wrote.
“We’ve taken real steps towards our climate goals, including launching a new initiative to expand tree planting and urban forest management and establishing stronger relationships with community groups and regional agencies to align efforts and leverage resources,” city spokesperson Simone Tarver wrote in an email. “Our partnership with the Snohomish Conservation District is a perfect example of this.”
Residents can participate by checking their eligibility, applying for a tree, and selecting a tree type. Recipients will have the option to plant the trees themselves or have a team do it for them.
There are also three community tree planting events in October open to the whole community. Locations include the Waterfront Trail, the Interurban Trail, and Wiggums Hollow Park.
The grant went into effect in January 2024 and will conclude in December 2028.
