Santa Monica Treesavers

Cosmo Bua's Message

2009-02-18T13:32:00.001-08:00

Again the City of Santa Monica is going to kill dozens of healthy trees merely for "design purposes." These are New Zealand Christmas (Metrosideros excelsus) trees. All of them, on Colorado Bl on both sides of the street from Ocean Av to Lincoln Bl, are to be torn out, hacked up, and thrown away. This so that replacements of a preferred species, Lemon Scented Gum (Eucalyptus citriodora) trees, can be planted in the holes left behind. As you read, this process has begun with the first seven trees, between 6th and 7th Streets on Colorado Bl, already red-tagged for removal.

These New Zealand Christmas trees will not grow too large for the spaces they are living in. They are not disturbing the sidewalks. Any future sidewalk problems, if any, will be minimal. They present no hazard. Several of them are quite young and were recently planted. They require almost no care at all. They are very well suited to our climate. All of them are healthy and thriving. They are evergreens.

There is easily thirty-five feet between each of these trees, and in some cases more than half a block to a block. One or more Eucalyptus trees can certainly be planted between each of these New Zealand Christmas trees, which would immediately result in both sides of Colorado Bl having been lined with Eucalyptus trees, as desired. Rather than killing the trees that are thriving there now, the City can replace them one by one over the years with the preferred species as they perish on their own. This will create generations of Eucalyptus- by spacing their ages- which is one of the main goals in managing our urban forest. In fact, to remove trees, Santa Monica's Forestry Management Plan (2000) requires that the following criteria be met: the tree must be dead; be expected to die within one year; be diseased with a strong potential to spread the pathogen; be hazardous; or be unable to support itself due to extensive root damage.

This is not "sustainable" behavior. Santa Monica can spend the same money and get twice the trees !
We must at least follow our own existing rules, as well as come up with better ways to care for trees in our city. What is Santa Monica teaching our children about the value of life when we just kill and throw away defenseless living beings as we tire of them with forever changing fashion? Why are we allowing all this thoughtless violence? Our world is already suffering global warming. These trees are alive. We should not be destroying them just because we feel like it.

PLEASE HELP SAVE THESE TREES - COMMUNICATE WITH:

Santa Monica City Council... council@smgov.net 310-458-8201
Mayor Ken Genser city@genser.org
Mayor Pro Tempore Pam O'Connor pam.oconnor@smgov.net
Councilperson Richard Bloom richard.bloom@smgov.net
Councilperson Robert Holbrook robert.holbrook@smgov.net
Councilperson Kevin Mckeown kevin@mckeown.net
Councilperson Bobby Shriver bobby.shriver@smgov.net
City Manager P. Lamont Ewell manager@smgov.net
Director Community and Cultural Services ccs@smgov.net 310-458-8310
SM Open Space Management Division Callie Hurd, Manager 310-458-8573
SM City Planning Arborist
310-458-8974
Community Forester Walt Warriner community.forest@smgov.net 458-8974
Environmental & Public Works Mgmt public.works@smgov.net 458-8221
Enviromental Programs Division environment@smgov.net 458-2213
Santa Monica Daily Press editor@smdp.com
SM Sustainable Works
310-458-8716
SM College/Center for Environmental & Urban Studies 310-434-3909
Sustainable City Plan (Environmental Programs Div) www.smepd.org 458-2227
SM Chamber of Commerce Environmental Affairs 310-393-9825
Natural Resources Defence Council ??????????
Environment Now www.environmentnow.org
310-829-5568
Heal the Bay www.healthebay.org 800-healbay
Coalition for Clean Air
www.coaltionforcleanair.org 310-441-1544
CA Coastkeeper Alliance www.cacoastkeeper.org 310-829-1229
SM Bay Audubon Society www.smbas.cjb.net
Santa MOnica BayKeeper www.smbaykeeper.org
Sierra Club www.angeleschapter.org
TreePeople www.treepeople.org
818-753-4600
Surfrider Foundation www.surfrider.org
The Argonaut carolhector@aol.com
LA Weekly submissions@laweekly.com
Santa Monica Mirror t.j.montemer@smmirror.com
LA Times letters@latimes.com

Inspiring Dignity

2008-09-05T00:36:00.000-07:00

Susan writes:

In looking at the photos from yesterday and talking with people, I want to clarify that Jerry did not actually enter the restricted area yesterday of that particular tree before his arrest. He had been chained to another tree near Benihana's. He came to the second tree near Michael's after the workers left the first tree and started hacking the second tree. He was near its fenced area as we all were, and actually was being interviewed and filmed by KCAL-9 (and 2) and the next thing I knew, he was arrested and being lead away. Leading up to the arrest and after the arrest, Jerry was insistent and adamant that the trees needed to be saved but very polite with everyone. His dignity throughout yesterday's events and today in court were inspiring.
Susan

Living up to one's word

2008-09-04T00:11:00.000-07:00

photo: Gillian Ware

Susan writes:

Jerry chained himself to a ficus tree this morning which was in the process of being dug up and removed. Cosmo, Shari, Jill, Dan, Alice, Richard and I (sorry if I missed anyone) were there for backup and support. Shari even entered the restricted area and stood near the tree. Jerry wouldn't leave. The city backed off and put the dirt they had removed back.Then they went to the next tree slated for removal and started chainsawing its roots and digging. Jerry came from the first tree and kept trying to get a meeting with Kate Vernez of Lamont's office. He wanted them to stop removing the trees while everyone could talk. KCAL 9 came. Jerry entered the restricted area around the tree and was arrested. KCAL 9 (and 2) filmed the scene, us, and an interview of Jerry and then his arrest. This happened between 11:00 and noon in front of Michael's on 4th. Jerry's brother and sister-in-law were going to bail him out. No word yet on his status or whereabouts. Hats off to Jerry for doing what he said he'd do. Thumbs down for the city that wastes so much money killing healthy trees and transplanting other healthy trees. Remember, the only reason the trees are being transplanted (and subjected to a slow death) is for a design change. The city admitted this! At least $11,000 per tree to boot.

Sherry writes:

Jerry was very, very effective today. He argued the Treesavers case and, as Susan said, he did what he said he would do. He brought more public attention to the matter and, in the face of an upcoming election, I can't help but think this will cause some concern for City Council candidates. It was very sad to see the trees' roots being cut -- so obvious that they will never survive any relocation. Getting arrested, while acting in a peaceful
manner, was a powerful statement. Thank you Jerry.

Marissa writes:

Treesavers...... you have been informed of the ordeal on 4th street regarding our ficus trees and Jerry's attempt to prevent their removal.

Let's bring positive energy to bear on creating a Tree Commission so that intelligent and caring decisions can, in future times, be made about the maintenance and expansion of our urban forest.

It was good to see the support Jerry received from the few fellow Treesavers that were aware of the situation today.

And Most of All.......THANK YOU JERRY RUBIN FOR YOUR UNSWERVING FOCUS ON THE TREES...AND TO SEIZING EVERY MOMENT AND MAKING THE MOST OF IT........in all aspects of the struggle!

photo: Gillian Ware

Treesavers 1-Year Anniversary

2008-08-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

Jerry Rubin sends us this missive:

SANTA MONICA TREESAVERS TO HOLD A PUBLIC
ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY RECOMMITMENT GATHERING ON SEPTEMBER 12.

ENVIRONMENTAL SPEAKERS; TREE-SHAPED CUPCAKE DISPLAY; AND “SAVE OUR TREES” MARCH
TO HIGHLIGHT PUBLIC ANNIVERSARY EVENT

Santa Monica, CA — Santa Monica Treesavers will hold a free-to-the public One-Year Anniversary Recommitment Gathering on Friday, September 12, 2008, marking the day when the group formed last year to try to save more than 50 mature ficus trees along Second and Fourth Street in the Santa Monica Downtown District. The event will take place 6:00 PM at the Promenade Playhouse and Conservatory located at 1404 Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.

The anniversary event will feature environmental speakers and a highlighted Tree-Shaped Cupcake Display set up on the Playhouse stage. Then, at 7:00 PM, Treesavers will begin a “Save Our Trees” March, starting from the Playhouse and proceeding north on the Promenade to Wilshire Boulevard then east to Fourth Street and south to Fourth and Broadway, ending where Treesavers held their first public gathering a year ago. Treesavers is calling on the City of Santa Monica to reconsider their plans to relocate seven mature healthy ficus trees from the eastside of Fourth Street. Treesavers is also calling on the City to create a Santa Monica Urban Forestry Commission.

Anniversary cupcakes for the tree-shaped display are being provided courtesy of Yummy Cupcakes Santa Monica Bakeshop. The venue is courtesy of Promenade Playhouse and Conservatory.

For further information call Treesavers at (310) 399-1000.

Candidate Forum Announced

2008-08-12T11:14:00.000-07:00

Treesavers will hold a forum for City Council candidates on tree-related issues Thursday.

The event, moderated by former mayor Michael Feinstein, will take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Ken Edwards Center, 1527 Fourth Street, in Santa Monica.

Candidates will field questions from both the public and from each other.

Treesavers, which led a highly-publicized fight to save Downtown ficus trees is currently lobbying the City Council to form a Tree Commission.

The forum is free and there is free parking on site.

Here are a few links of some interest on this blog:

You won't change MY mind
A day that will live long in the memory of our citizens
People Notice when Trees are Cut Down
Petitioners Speak Out
Council Member Holbrook Opines
A High Priority Goal
Talking the talk
The element of shock
Not a good day?
Trees: Residents YES, City NO
City Council Rejects Treesavers Appeal
A Moment of Truthiness
A Biologist's Letter to City Council

Council Member Holbrook Opines

2008-07-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

From today's Santa Monica Daily Press:

The lone vote in opposition to the staff study was Councilmember Bob Holbrook, who was one of six city officials who supported the beautification plan in its entirety. Holbrook said he didn’t believe it would be the best use of resources, pointing out cases in the past when staff was asked to study an issue, only to return back to a council who voted against the recommendation. The councilmember added that he didn’t see the need for an urban forestry commission.“We don’t have a public works commission,we don’t have a roads maintenance commission,” Holbrook said. “We have a professional urban arborist who is well respected and he makes recommendations to the council and I think that’s enough."

Thousands of people signed petitions to save these trees, against stubborn, adamant opposition by the majority of City Council members--but for Mr. Holbrook the issue doesn't rise above the level of road maintenance.

Tree Commission Update

2008-07-24T11:11:00.000-07:00

Jerry Rubin:

TREESAVERS " TREE COMMISSION" UPDATE-

By a Santa Monica City Council vote of 4 to 1 at last nights' Council meeting, a City process has begun that hopefully will lead to the establishment of an advisory Santa Monica Urban Forestry Commission.

The vote was to refer the issue to City Staff to recommend a process-possibly appointing a task force- to evaluate and study the best structure and scope that would serve Santa Monica the best.

The vote on the Treesavers agenda item request was-
Ken Genser ( who made the motion) YES
Richard Bloom YES
Pam O'Connor YES
Kevin McKeown YES
Robert Holbrook NO
Mayor Herb Katz and Bobby Shriver were not present.

This could be a very positive and cooperative City and community endeavor, But, let's keep gathering community support as this hopefully inclusive process begins.

Treesavers Candidates Forum

2008-07-19T14:24:00.000-07:00

Jerry Rubin writes:

TO EVERYONE WHO THINKS OUR TREES
SHOULD BE A MAJOR ISSUE IN OUR
UPCOMING SANTA MONICA CITY COUNCIL
ELECTION ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 :

Treesavers will be holding a major, free-to-the-public evening of "tree speech" for all official Santa Monica City Council candidates---

"Santa Monica City Council Candidates Forum On Our Trees and Tree- Related Issues"
Thursday, August 14, 2008
6:30 PM until 9:00 PM
Ken Edwards Center Rooms 100-A and 100-B
1527 Fourth Street,Santa Monica
Free-to-the-public
Free on-site parking

Each candidate will have equal time for:
- opening statement
- closing statement
- questions from the public
- questions from other candidates

Candidate filing begins July 14 and ends August 8. Good luck to all candidates, including incumbents and new Council hopefuls.

There are many important issues and certainly our trees are a major one of deep community concern.

More details will be forthcoming but start networking this information now.

This will likely be the first of the candidate forums. We hope City TV or The League of Women Voters or maybe even a local paper will consider starting a Candidate Forum Master Calendar for coordination purposes.

Thank you and don't forget to register to vote!

Tree Commission update

2008-07-07T10:04:00.000-07:00

Jerry writes:

After a very long Santa Monica City Council meeting on June 25, the Council postponed a number of agenda items including the Treesavers request for a Tree Commission and reset the date for a special City Council meeting on July 23d, at City Hall located at 1685 Main Street.

Positive, passionate and polite phone calls supporting the establishment of a Santa Monica Tree Commission should be sent in an ongoing manner,starting today.
City Council- 310-458-8201 council@smgov.net
City Manager- 310-458-8301 manager@smgov.net

More Information - Call Treesavers at 310-399-1000

Tree Commission Desirable

2008-06-28T13:22:00.000-07:00

Jerry writes:

After a very long Santa Monica City Council meeting on June 25, the Council postponed a number of agenda items including the Treesavers request for a Tree Commission and reset the date for the July 8 City Council meeting at City Hall located at 1685 Main Street.

Positive,passionate and polite phone calls supporting the establishment of a Santa Monica Tree Commission should be sent in an ongoing manner,starting today.
City Council- 310-458-8201 council@smgov.net
City Manager- 310-458-8301 manager@smgov.net

More Information - Call Treesavers at 310-399-1000

"...a high priority goal..."

2008-06-21T22:39:00.000-07:00

The Friends of Sunset Park Board of Directors to the Santa Monica City Council:

June 19, 2008

City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401

RE: Urban Forest
Dear Mayor Katz and Honorable Council members,

Trees can have a huge impact on the quality of life in a city. Although Santa Monica has a comprehensive urban forestry program, and prides itself on its program, we believe that we can do an even better job. Although a number of residential streets in Sunset Park are lined with large, mature ficus trees that were planted in the 1960s (meeting over the streets to create what some children refer to as the "tree tunnels"), many of our other street trees remain small both in height and canopy, even when they grow to maturity.

The latest Sustainable City Progress Report (11/07) rates the percentage of canopy cover in Sunset Park at 30% whereas, for comparison's sake, portions of North of Montana rate as high as 75%.

On our 2005 FOSP neighborhood questionnaire, we asked whether residents favored replacement trees with larger canopies. The response overwhelmingly (72%) favored such a change to our urban forestry design.

Although a more ambitious street tree/larger canopy program will be more costly, we believe that the environmental and aesthetic benefits will far outweigh the additional costs. Benefits include shade and protection from the sun, absorption of CO2, oxygen production through photosynthesis, filtration of polluted air and water, retention of storm water runoff, providing wildlife habitat, reduction of the heat island effect, the beauty of a street tree canopy, and increased property values.

An enhanced street tree program should include:
● Making the maximization of each tree's canopy a primary objective of the street tree program.

● Reexamining tree selection in the street tree plan, both species and the size of specimens planted, as well as size of canopy at maturation.

● Making removal of trees a last resort.

● Establishing regular ongoing community education programs regarding our urban forest, emphasizing street tree care and maintenance.

● Reexamining our policies for root pruning and sidewalk maintenance with an eye to minimizing, if not eliminating, harmful root pruning.

● Considering expansion of parkway widths to preserve existing trees and to allow planting of larger trees.

We believe that in order to achieve these goals the community needs greater participation in policy-making and decision-making, as well as oversight of our urban forest. To that end we strongly believe that a Tree Commission or similar body is necessary.

We believe Santa Monica should set as a high priority goal having the best urban forest, having the largest tree canopy, and having the premier street tree program in California.

Respectfully,

Board of Directors
Friends of Sunset Park

Cc: Lamont Ewell, City Manager
Elaine Polacheck, Open Space Manager
Walter Warriner, Community Forest & Public Landscape Superintendent
Johnny Aguila, Community Forest Supervisor

Remembering the Trees

2008-06-10T22:31:00.000-07:00

Treesavers will hold a public memorial service on Friday, June 13, 2008 to mark the destruction one month earlier of 23 mature, healthy Ficus trees along Second and Fourth Streets in the Santa Monica Downtown District.
[please click on image below to download the press release]

Summary Judgment

2008-05-23T11:09:00.000-07:00

From Wikipedia:

Summary judgment is a legal term which means that a court has made a determination (a judgment) without a full trial.

please click on photo for larger version

This photo provides a concise summary of the issue: a dead tree, lying in the street in front of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The Cost to the Taxpayers

2008-05-19T23:16:00.000-07:00

CBS/Channel 2 covers the story.

In the video below, check out Ms. Kate Vernez' statement at 0:59: "the cost to the taxpayers was $100,000, not including legal costs." Now, it is important to understand that the lawsuit against the city--and the delays that resulted from it--was filed because the city called the trees "facilities" in the Environmental Impact Report for this project, thus bypassing important legal requirements in the process. There would have been no lawsuit had the EIR been properly prepared and filed, and the trees identified correctly. The project may well have had a different shape, and many more trees saved, had the city identified the trees as trees, and not as "facilities" in the EIR. Note also that the Court did not exonerate the City in this matter, it simply said that it was too late for a lawsuit, due to the expiration of the Statute of Limitations.

We agree that the $100,000 loss--if true--is a terrible waste. Has the City Manager identified the staff members responsible for calling trees "facilities" in the EIR? Will Ms. Vernez explain to the public what steps the City Manager has taken to avoid future misrepresentations of this kind?

[click on image to see video]

May 20th: Protest at City Hall

2008-05-19T08:41:00.000-07:00

Please click on announcement above to download the entire press release.

2008-05-17T07:50:00.001-07:00

Every week a new reason

2008-05-16T22:22:00.001-07:00

Oh, so THAT'S why they chopped the trees down--this week, at least:

But city planners said branches of 54 of the trees interfered with bus traffic while roots cracked sidewalks, costing the city thousands of dollars in upkeep, repairs and payouts from "trip-and-fall" lawsuits by pedestrians, Vernez said.

I guess "design reasons" are out. Covering up merchants' signs--that's apparently not good enough any more. Diseased trees--did anyone say diseased? What--who, us? What about too much shade for shoppers? That's so, you know, 2007.

No, now it's because the trees were interfering with bus traffic.

Read this latest pathetic excuse [here].

Paving over paradise

2008-05-16T17:01:00.001-07:00

2008-05-16T09:57:00.000-07:00

please click on images for larger versions.

A day that will live long in the memory of our citizens

2008-05-16T07:51:00.000-07:00

Bob Wolff, writing at 7:13am:

As Of 6:45 this morn, the city is cutting the trees down on 2nd street. It is blocked off from Wilshire to SM Blvd.

There are 10,000 people in this town who have requested--in writing--that this not be done without further examination. The contradictory statements by the city's experts; the adversarial--and indeed deceptive approach by the city's agencies and employees; the hostile and superior response by many members of City Council against their own voters--all of these came together today in this one big act of public destruction.

This day--and the people responsible for all this--will be long remembered in this town.

The Court Rules: you're too late to catch the city

2008-05-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

COURT RULES AGAINST TREESAVERS

Press release:

Santa Monica, CA — Despite today’s Court ruling, environmental and community activists with Treesavers are pledging to increase their political and diplomatic efforts to save the threatened Ficus trees along Second and Fourth Streets in the Santa Monica Downtown District. The activists are insisting that the Santa Monica City Council and City Manager join with Treesavers and the community in seeking a business and environmentally-friendly win-win solution.

A California Appeals Court ruled today in favor of the City of Santa Monica saying the plaintiffs – Treesavers and Jerry Rubin – did not meet the statute of limitations in filing their claim that the City violated CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) regulations. Out of the 154 mature Ficus trees along Second and Fourth Streets between Colorado Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, the City plans to destroy 23 Ficus trees they claim are unsafe, and plans to relocate 7 other healthy Ficus trees – down from the previous 31 Ficus trees originally planned for relocation.

Treesavers say no healthy trees should be relocated for design and aesthetic purposes, and that an independent certified arborist, mutually agreeable to the City and Treesavers, should evaluate the other 23 trees as to the degree of their structural damage.

Organizers with Treesavers say that regardless of the Court’s decision, Santa Monica has an obligation to respect the will of the community, which has been shown through over 8,000 petition signatures, community-group and business endorsements, and overwhelming resident and visitor support, that the tree aspect of the City’s broader 8.2 million-dollar street improvement plan should not move forward as planned.

For further information call Treesavers at (310) 399-1000.

Just to clarify one very important point: the court did not rule that the city committed no wrongdoing (by declaring trees to be "facilities" in the Environmental Impact Report, thus avoiding important environmental requirements). It only ruled that it was too late to catch the city.

Who speaks for us?

2008-05-14T18:15:00.000-07:00

URBAN FORESTS

Who speaks for us?
Trees in the city.
Crowded between sidewalks and street.

Smooth, rough, shedding, patterned
Big, small, straight, twisted, leaning
Man damaged trunks.

Weak, strong, tangled, reaching, broken branches.
Carrying a happy burden
Of leaves, needles, flowers, fruits, seeds, nuts, cones, fronds.

Urban forest , like all of us, living.
Young, old, healthy, sick
Needed, but needing man to care for us.

Give us our trees say the birds.
Our homes, food, gathering spots.
Resting, refueling migratory travelers.

Give us our trees say the children.
Swinging, climbing,
Cool shade under which to play.

Give us our trees
Strollers, shoppers, walkers, lovers say.
Dappled sunlight, green against the sky.

Give us your trees the foresters say.
You'll get reports, studies, meaningless meetings
Empty spaces not beauty; sticks not canopies.

Give us your trees developers say.
Chain saws whine and bite.
Trees disappear, left is developers blight.

Give us your trees the politicians say.
Here yesterday, gone today.
Nothing gets in our way.

Give us our trees
The people say and say and say.
And only the trees hear us.

Bob Wolff
May 2008

"Loony projects in the works"

2008-05-12T13:00:00.000-07:00

Peggy Clifford writes:

When residents learned that the City planned to remove 54 (the number changes almost daily) ficus trees from Second and Fourth Streets in downtown Santa Monica as part of what it called an “improvement” project, they tried to reason with the City. When the City refused, the newly formed Treesavers , who soon numbered over 5,000, went to court and secured a temporary restraining order, blocking the removal of the trees.

Now, nearly eight months later, the restraining order is still in effect, the City still refuses to give an inch, much less respect residents’ wishes.

In the midst of this rising turmoil, the City chose to announce plans to remove 300 carob trees…on Earth Day, right before a Treesavers’ rally. It was an incredibly stupid move, an act of extraordinary hubris and a slap in the community’s face.

Read the rest of this honest and scathing editorial [here].

Talking the Talk

2008-05-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

Arbor Talk, an on-line talk show on all things trees, interviews Jerry Rubin on the Treesavers' on-going efforts:

Segment 1: Jerry Rubin from Tree Savers of Santa Monica.

When the Santa Monica City Council decides to re-do the business district, they also decide to pull out the legendary trees that have beautified and adorned that district. Who's going to step in and stop this? Why, Jerry Rubin and Tree Savers.

Gee, sounds like a new Doo Wop Shoo Bop group! Listen to (or download) the program [here].

Call for Santa Monica Tree Commission

2008-05-01T07:55:00.000-07:00

From the Santa Monica Daily Press:

With the current ficus fiasco in Downtown Santa Monica and now a dispute over the removal of 300 carob trees, environmental activists are calling on the City Council to create a commission that would advise on urban forestry matters.
The Santa Monica Treesavers last week requested the City Council initiate a process to establish a tree commission. Jerry Rubin, one of the leaders of the Treesavers, filed a written communications request to place a discussion item on a future council agenda.

Such commissions have been formed in municipalities across the state, including San Francisco’s Urban Forest Council and the Tree Commission in the city of Davis.
“We think it’s so important for the community to open up cooperative dialogue,” Rubin said in an interview on Tuesday. “We feel a Santa Monica urban forestry commission or tree commission would be a very appropriate thing and a long overdue needed advisory commission.”

Read the rest of the article [here].
See the original article [here].