Discussing the significant loss of tree canopy over the last 15 years — from small developments to large, such as the Visconsi shopping complex — will be part of the Association of Bainbridge Communities’ 13th annual Environmental Conference.
The event will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Waterfront Park Community Center, located at 370 Brien Way.
The conference will focus on:
— the importance of trees on islanders lifestyles,
— what the city of Bainbridge Island is planning,
— what is needed as part of a comprehensive tree retention ordinance,
— what other cities and counties are doing, and
— how residents can participate in the process.
Speakers included Kathy Wolf from the University of Washington’s School of Forestry, Olaf Ribeiro, an internationally recognized expert on tree health issues, Ben Thompson, urban forestry specialist with the Department of Natural Resources, and Nolan Rundquist, a Seattle City arborist, who will talk about the city’s efforts to retain trees.
The event will also include citizen activists from Whidbey Island, Jon Quitslund, a member of the Bainbridge Island Tree Ordinance Committee, and break-out sessions.
For more information, contact the Association of Bainbridge Communities at biabc2000@yahoo.com.
We have lessons to learn from Seattle? Have you seen the trees on Bainbridge and those in Seattle?