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,” provides necessary funding to build new and maintain existing parks, beaches and recreational areas in every LA County community.

TreePeople is saying YES to Measure A because it will protect and conserve water resources in and around parks and open spaces, and it will increase protective tree canopy to shade and cool communities. Measure A was created by an unprecedented county-wide effort to document existing parks and recreation facilities in cities and unincorporated communities, and as a result, over a third of potential revenues generated will go to areas classified as “high need” and “very high need.” Measure A will help ensure that everyone has access to safe and beautiful parks!

The rejuvenating, buffering, and cooling influence of parks and open space is needed more than ever. Measure A helps ensure that LA’s children don’t grow up with “nature deficit disorder,” and that our region is livable for years to come. Vote yes on Measure A!

Measure M, the “Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan,” will ease congestion and reduce the time we’re stuck in traffic by 15 percent by building a 21st century transportation network that expands light rail, subway, Rapid Bus, Metrolink, freeways and highways. It will create 465,000 new jobs, repair potholes and repave local streets and roads in each of LA County’s 88 cities, will keep senior, disabled, and student fares affordable, and will provide earthquake retrofitting for overpasses and bridges.

TreePeople is saying YES to Measure M because we understand the importance public transportation and road repair have in advancing LA’s sustainability goals. Not only is public transportation critical for improving air quality and advancing climate change goals, but our streets are a crucial component of LA’s water system and urban forest.

If passed, Measure M will provide funding to include green infrastructure elements on our streets that capture stormwater and support greening in Metro projects. These elements will make streets more walkable and bikeable, allow rainwater to be harvested and filtered, and incorporate more trees to provide shade and cleaner air where passengers wait for the bus or train.  Vote yes on Measure M!

For more information visit Yes on M (Facebook Twitter Instagram) and Yes on A ( Facebook Twitter) and make sure to like and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!