This election, TreePeople is formally endorsing two LA County ballot initiatives: Measure A and Measure M. We strongly believe that if passed, these two initiatives will help make LA a more sustainable, climate-resilient, water-secure, and equitable region. Here’s how: Measure A, the “Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks, Open Space, Beaches, River Protection and Water Conservation Measure,”…
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What is the Big Deal About Natives?
October 18, 2016LA really is a special place, and so is its ecology. Our region’s Mediterranean climate brings dry, hot summers and cool, wet winters. This unique climate and landscape is what creates the special conditions that support our city’s animal and plant biodiversity. Native plants use anywhere from 30 to 90 percent less water than other…
I Am TreePeople: Zayda Ortiz
October 17, 2016Intern life: for years, coffee runs and evil bosses were what came to mind. While that would make for a good screenplay, the average life of an intern was the complete opposite of that cliché scene during my summer here at TreePeople. Instead of a standard office, the Forestry yurt is home to TreePeople’s passionate staff…
#LAStormCatcher: Hope for LA’s Water Future
September 29, 2016California is in the grips of a fifth year of drought, impacting our region’s water security. However, Los Angeles County communities can achieve a climate-resilient future and adapt to the impacts of ongoing heat, drought and pollution. It’s not just something that TreePeople believes– it’s something we’re actively working toward in partnership with our region’s largest water agencies….
Protect your community: Take action for trees!
September 23, 2016Have you heard? Last summer, TreePeople championed the protection of our urban trees as the City of LA prepared to launch its 30-year sidewalk repair program. Now, LA is starting to roll out steps to repair sidewalks across the region. That’s right– over the next 30 years, the City plans to spend $1.4 billion dollars…
Soil. Water. Life
September 22, 2016Soil moisture: why is it important for you and and your garden? Why it is important for LA and its issues with the urban heat island effect and other challenges? Soil, Water, Life Here at TreePeople, we sometimes wonder where the tree ends and the soil begins. Fallen leaves and branches decompose and create soil,…
Tree Planting Season Is Back!
September 22, 2016Summer Tree Care This summer was not easy for LA’s trees. We’ve seen the impact these five years of drought have had– and with each heat wave this summer, we lost even more trees. We want trees to live, so in the summer we shift our focus to care for them get through these hotter hots…
Los Angeles Needs Stormwater Infrastructure
August 19, 2016As a lifelong Los Angeles resident, I understand the extremes that mother nature can throw at us. I recall the droughts of my youth, when we were all urged to be thoughtful about our water use and conserve. I also remember vividly the opposite extreme, when that scarcity turned to plenty, neighborhoods flooded and streams…
Have You Spotted These 10 LA Trees?
August 17, 2016Time for a quick lesson in dendrology! How many of these trees have you seen around your neighborhood? Here’s the countdown: 10. Bauhinia variegata (Purple orchid tree) The Bauhinia variegata is a semi-evergreen tree that is native to Southeast Asia. Not only do the flowers that grow on these trees smell amazing, but they…
Three Cheers to Our Volunteers!
August 16, 2016Did you know TreePeople hosts a Volunteer Celebration? It’s true! Each year, we invite our most dedicated volunteers up to our park for a day of fun to show our thanks. This year featured our first ever TreePeople Volunteer Olympic Games! Rio has nothing on this. The day was warm and the stakes were high…
Partnership: How Boeing Helped Us Plant 80,000 Trees
August 13, 2016The July day was hot and the sky was smoky from the Sand Fire, but that didn’t stop the 30 dedicated volunteers from Boeing. [blockquote source=”Volunteer Manager Peter Roquemore”]“Boeing’s volunteers are known for being some of the hardest workers,and this morning only proved that.”[/blockquote] Gathering at the Betty Davis Picnic Area of Griffith Park, the…
Op-Ed: How Drought-Tolerant Landscapes Can Cool LA
August 12, 2016Los Angeles is a very unique place with complex challenges when it comes to both water and climate. Moving toward a more climate-resilient LA is a complicated task with a multitude of paths towards a solution. Looking further into how water is used, either through landscape transformations or how water use will affect local temperatures…