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Lex Grow Trees update: $1.5 million drives targeted plantings, education and private-property pilot
Summary
City staff told the Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee that Lex Grow Trees — funded by a $1.5 million 2022 budget stabilization allocation — has planted more than 1,800 trees through two grant rounds and private-property efforts, built community outreach and created a stewardship framework to track canopy growth.
Heather Wilson, program manager senior for LFUCG's urban forestry team, told the Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee on April 22 that the Lex Grow Trees initiative is using a 2022 allocation of $1,500,000 in budget stabilization funds to grow canopy in neighborhoods with the greatest need.
The program has set a citywide goal of 30% tree canopy and reported a current canopy estimate of about 25% based on recent USDA flyover data; Wilson said canopy was about 22% in 2012 and rose to roughly 25% in the 2021–2023 reassessments. The initiative has funded pilot projects, two rounds of community grants and a private-property planting pilot, and launched marketing and stewardship work to sustain plantings.
The program was developed with an ad hoc steering committee that Wilson said helped shape “mission, values and grant framework” for Lex Grow Trees. Wilson named members present or active in that committee, including Naki Braga, Councilmember Lynch, Councilmember James Brown, John…
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