Trees and People Coalition

06/05/2026

We're proud to feature winners of our inaugural
Canopy Awards - a unique recognition program established this past year to honor architects,
landscape designers, developers, urban planners, community organizations, and educators who demonstrate excellence in preserving and enhancing Seattle’s urban tree canopy. Awards were presented in 4 categories to honor outstanding projects and programs that integrate tree preservation, planting, and environmental education:

🤝Community Outreach and Educational Programs
🌳Excellence in Innovation Award

🌲Robert Eagle Staff Forest
🌿Represented by Sarah Lappas

The Robert Eagle Staff Forest is an outstanding model of curriculum-driven ecological restoration. Its
innovative approach, deep community engagement, and substantial ecological benefits position it as a leading
educational program. The project beautifully delivers significant community, cultural, and environmental value.

05/25/2026

Council member Eddie Lin just sponsored CB121215 to prohibit citywide environmental appeals (Type 5 appeals) in response to appeals like the Orca Appeal.

During the Orca Appeal hearing, Judge David S. Mann (Court of Appeals Division I) explains that the state has preserved the ability to file some city-wide environmental appeals. Appeals ensure city council have the best information in front of them. Public comment on the environment during the comprehensive plan was largely ignored. Appeals are the only real voice and oversight the people of Seattle have.

The city belongs to all of us. The public can take back their voice. Developers have been meeting privately with Seattle's Department of Construction for years, but denies that right to environmental groups and anti-displacement groups. It's time that Seattle walks the equity talk.

Stay tuned for upcoming hearings on CB121215.

Read the Seattle Times article on the Orca Appeal 🔗 below.

05/09/2026

Excellent editorial from the Seattle times: "No more closed-door City Hall meetings on Seattle growth strategies"

TPC Board member, Lois Martin, and our fiscal sponsor, , were interviewed for this piece.

Read the complete article at the 🔗 below.

04/05/2026

03/31/2026

Mark your calendars 🗓️ and check out some of the events our partners are hosting in April! 🌸

Hosting an event you’d like to see on our Events Calendar? Let us know at [email protected].

Our calendar is updated on a regular basis; a complete list of partner events and more details can be found on our website: www.seattleparksfoundation.org/events

02/19/2026

Join us in recognizing those who design and develop projects and programs with our urban trees.

Awards will be presented in these four categories:

🌿Residential new multifamily sites
🌲Gardens, parks, and public sites
🌳Residential renovation | Addition sites
🌿Community | Educational programs

Thursday April 9th
6:00 pm doors open
6:30 pm awards program begins including guest presentations

$25 General Admission
$300 Reserves a table for five

Light refreshments will be served. Alcoholic beverages available for purchase

📍The Georgetown Stables
980 S Nebraska Street, Seattle
-a fully restored event venue in the historic Georgetown neighborhood - street parking is limited; nearby pay lots are recommended.

🔗
https://give.seattleparksfoundation.org/event/canopy-awards/e755794

DM with any questions.

01/30/2026

💸Check out this new article on why deregulation doesn't increase affordability.

"Economic inequality, not zoning or “constraints” on construction, is responsible for the housing affordability crisis in the United States, a new academic study shows.

The study, by four leading urban scholars, directly contradicts the narrative that has been driving housing policy at the local, state, and federal level: that deregulating housing will increase affordability."

🔗 ⤵️

01/21/2026

Commenting on HB 2267 is open until 1/22/26 8:00 a.m.

We recommend HB 2267 not advance as written. The tree banking language is unclear about the location of tree Banks, which means the human and ecosystem health benefits would be lost when trees are clustered in public spaces. People and the ecosystem need equitable distribution of mature trees.

If the bill moves forward, it must be amended to:
• Prohibit tree banking and fee-in-lieu programs;
• Require on-site retention of mature trees wherever physically possible;
• Establish minimum canopy preservation standards statewide.

🔗 Below:

12/15/2025

Left bar: amount of Seattle canopy on neighborhood residential zones.
2nd bar from left: canopy in streets/right of ways.

As developers replace the trees with pavement, there is no other land available to compensate.

Now we need your help on Resolution 32183 v2. It creates multiple developer loopholes to increase hard surfaces after the Comp Plan is implemented, despite an ongoing citizen legal action on the Environmental Impact Statement.

This dimishes environmental protections for the next 20 years. Visit our website for a prewritten email and instructions for public comment. 🔗

Dec. 16 Meeting starts with public comments at 1 PM.

📝Remote Comments: Register between noon-1:15 PM

 🏛️ In-Person Comments at City Hall, Seattle City Hall Council Chambers

🕒 Registration opens at 12:30 PM

🎯 We encourage you to arrive early to get a spot

12/12/2025

Entries for the 2026 Canopy Awards are due in just ONE week! 📣

Updated Call for Submissions instructions and meeting minutes will be sent to all that register at the 🔗 below.

⏰A reminder to submit your entry form digitally, email e-files, or snail mail 📨📫 flash drives by the end of day Friday, December 19th.

https://canopyaward.short.gy/intent-to-enter