Do you wish you had more resources and state assistance to identify and increase your city’s tree canopy or urban forest? This bill aims to do just that!

HB 2768 is requested by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and sponsored by Rep. Bill Ramos (D–Issaquah) and aims to modernize the Evergreen Communities recognition program. The bill intends to assist cities in efforts to preserve and enhance their urban tree programs, hoping to reap the benefits of all that trees provide to communities–health benefits, air and water quality improvements, and the happiness factor that people experience when spending time in natural settings.

The bulk of the new and comprehensive bill changes occur in Sections 9-11 and direct DNR to:

• Assess urban tree canopy and forest inventory data, adding data in areas that do not have adequate data available;
• Identify priority regions for urban tree programs based on listed criteria;
• Conduct a statewide inventory of urban trees and community forests;
• Assist in local governments access carbon markets;
• Provide technical assist to help develop urban forestry management programs; and
• Develop criteria for an Evergreen Community designation program.

Dates to remember

HB 2768 is scheduled for public hearing on Tuesday, January 28 at 10 am in the House Rural Development, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Committee.