[SOLIDARITY] “Why Trees Matter for Green Development" Webinar

RSVP AT THIS LINK, NOT THROUGH THE RSVP BUTTON ABOVE: https://tinyurl.com/Trees-MatterRSVP AT THIS LINK, NOT THROUGH THE RSVP BUTTON ABOVE: https://tinyurl.com/Trees-Matter

The Trees as a Public Good Network is presenting a new webinar titled, “Why Trees Matter for Green Development.” It will occur via Zoom on Sunday, April 21, 2024 from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. There will be five main speakers: two about forests, and three about municipal trees, including two scientists and three activists with case studies. We are also working on having some high-ranking Democratic officials to introduce the webinar.

For forests, Prof. William Moomaw of Tufts University will present the scientific evidence on why large-scale solar needs to be environmentally responsibly sited.

Meg Sheehan with Community Land and Water Coalition will present a case study from southeastern Massachusetts where hundreds of acres of endangered forests (Pine Barrens) have been cut and strip mined for silica sand, with the entire process falsely claimed as “green” because of the final placement of large-scale solar panels.

For urban trees, Dr. Zbigniew Grabowski of the University of Connecticut and the New School will explain why denser housing development needs to accommodate existing mature trees or risk heat islands, flooding, and increased air pollution. Mimi Turchinetz of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association will present residents’ concerns over zoning that encourages greater housing density without requiring allowances for green infrastructure (trees, waterways, etc.). Aalana Feaster of the Environmental Health is Wealth Advocacy Coalition will present the concerns of residents in the environmental justice community of Dorchester about clearcutting four wooded acres to put in an artificial turf field.

Our goal with this webinar is to educate people about how to make development truly green. We need solar energy, denser and more affordable housing, AND ALSO the crucial climate services provided by trees in urban areas and in forests. The science shows that if we cut trees for large-scale solar and for wall-to-wall-density housing, the net result is not green. With some basic requirements to accommodate existing green infrastructure, we can ensure that much-needed development lessens—rather than provokes—climate change.

Join the Trees As Public Good Network here: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/tree-forum-networking-meeting