A proclamation in celebration of Green Tacoma Day and Tacoma’s Arbor Day

WHEREAS, Parks Tacoma strives to be a recognized regional leader in sustainable practices, including green infrastructure improvements, conservation, environmental education, and biodiversity; and 

WHEREAS, urban forests and green spaces provide substantial benefits to community health and happiness, resource sustainability, ecological preservation, and counteract the effects of climate change; and 

WHEREAS, the Green Tacoma Partnership is a collaborative effort between City of Tacoma, Parks Tacoma, Pierce Conservation District, Communities for a Healthy Bay, Tacoma Tree Foundation, and other community partners engaged in the restoration and maintenance of Tacoma’s urban parks, forests, and green spaces; and 

WHEREAS, Tacoma has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for 29 years in a row; and 

WHEREAS, Parks Tacoma is committed to the City of Tacoma’s goal to increase Tacoma’s tree canopy from 20% to 30% of its land area; and 

WHEREAS, it will require the awareness, commitment, and engagement of our entire community to see this goal become reality; and 

WHEREAS, in 2022 Parks Tacoma increased its canopy by planting 226 trees, contributing to a partnered effort that added 4,772 trees to Tacoma’s urban forest; and 

WHEREAS, the stewardship of our region’s unique and precious environmental features provides an opportunity to strengthen communities with shared bonds forged through teamwork, responsibility, and collective care; and 

WHEREAS, a day of recognition will present opportunities for community members to learn about and commit to this shared vision, engage in volunteer action, and celebrate our beautiful city with friends, family, and neighbors; and 

WHEREAS, Parks Tacoma will lead three events on October 14th, 2023, where community volunteers will plant 30 trees at Kandle Park, remove invasive species and restore a salmon habitat at Titlow Park, and promote an oak woodland by planting Garry Oaks and camas at Swan Creek Park; and 

WHEREAS, the events mentioned above are part of 12 opportunities hosted concurrently across the city by Green Tacoma Partnership organizations to increase community awareness and engagement in stewarding our urban forests and green spaces; and 

WHEREAS, a designated day of action will not limit participation in community stewardship to one day of the year but, rather, serve as an entry point to inform, engage, and inspire continued investment by community members. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Park Commissioners do hereby recognize and honor October 14th, 2023, as Green Tacoma Day and Tacoma’s Arbor Day.  

The foregoing proclamation was adopted by the Board of Park Commissioners of the Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma at a regularly scheduled meeting held on October 9, 2023.