Sammamish marks second Tree City USA year and plans Arbor Day, canopy assessment work

The Sammamish City Sustainability Commission on Jan. 6 celebrated the city's second year of Tree City USA recognition and began planning a clearer, larger Arbor Day observance tied to a new tree‑canopy assessment.

Jan Berg (public commenter) noted a King Conservation District grant is already funding a canopy assessment and urged the commission to use that work as the foundation for the Urban Forest Management Plan update. Rose said the assessment has started and staff will integrate findings into the UFMP timeline. “300 Trees is the nonprofit that provides the trees... they are handing out Pacific Northwest evergreens,” Rose said when describing a possible shared tree giveaway with Issaquah.

Why it matters: commissioners argued for giving trees a separate moment from Earth Day, scheduling plantings in the fall (optimal planting window), and pairing Arbor Day education with restoration events so volunteers can both learn and take part in planting or invasive species removal.

Restoration and staffing: Sebastian, Sammamish’s restoration specialist (referenced by staff), coordinates planting plans and volunteers; Francine supports volunteer communications. Staff said Sebastian focuses on priority restoration sites and that partnering with existing restoration events is the most feasible way to scale planting without adding a new, staff‑intensive project.

Next steps: staff will coordinate with Sebastian and Francine, explore a shared tree giveaway with Issaquah and 300 Trees, and return with detailed options and timing. Commissioners also asked for materials and messaging tied to the Climate Action Plan and Urban Forest Management Plan to frame public education at any Arbor Day event.

The commission approved the December minutes at the start of the meeting and adjourned at roughly 7:59 p.m.