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Tumwater unveils grant‑funded Canopy Equity Program to plant trees in hotter, underserved neighborhoods
Summary
Urban forester Brian Coughlin presented a grant‑funded Canopy Equity Program targeting neighborhoods with low tree cover and high heat exposure (Ferland Estates highlighted). Staff reported an 11% canopy loss since 2019, a 30% canopy threshold goal, and up to an 18‑degree temperature difference across monitoring sites.
Brian Coughlin, Tumwater’s urban forester, presented the city’s Canopy Equity Program, a grant‑funded initiative to plant and support trees in neighborhoods identified as hotter and historically underserved. Coughlin said the city’s 2025 canopy assessment shows about an 11% decline in canopy since 2019 and described a 30% canopy coverage threshold as the level at which communities realize sustained urban‑forest benefits.
Coughlin described a pilot targeting Ferland Estates (97 homes identified as low canopy and higher heat vulnerability), noting city‑deployed ambient temperature loggers found up to an 18‑degree difference across the city on the hottest day: Bush Middle School registered about 100°F at the hottest time, while cooler neighborhoods were near 85°F. The program would offer residents one of four tree choices (small/large conifer, small/large deciduous), hold a workshop (planned for Aug. 15 at Pioneer Park) to build buy‑in and demonstrate planting and maintenance, and provide mulch, mycorrhizae and watering bags to improve survivability.
Coughlin said the program is entirely grant funded; the city plans winter planting delivery and ongoing outreach to homeowners and landlords. Councilmembers praised the initiative and asked staff to circulate the presentation and follow up on ordinance and tree‑permit questions raised by council.
