Canopies, a non-profit organization in the Bay Area, wants historically disadvantaged neighborhoods to have more tree cover to protect the area and everyone who lives in it, so it has organized a meeting in Redwood City to find a solution to the lack of trees.
And it is that, various vulnerable cities in the area suffer from less tree cover compared to more prosperous areas, which causes poor air and water quality, as well as a greater risk of heat, noise and flooding.
In response to this critical challenge, Canopy, which is dedicated to urban forestry, is addressing the issue and promoting tree cover equity in San Mateo County.
San Mateo County faces significant disparities in tree cover that create environmental and social inequities, particularly in historically underserved neighborhoods. East Palo Alto has a tree canopy cover of only 13.5 percent, while Atherton has a tree canopy cover of 51.2 percent.
At the event, which will take place this coming Wednesday, May 24, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Community Space, located at 801 Jefferson Ave in Redwood City, residents are expected to learn how to Advocate for local governments to actively involve communities in land cover management, creating a fairer and more equitable environment for all.
In addition, knowledge and resources will be provided to empower residents, increasing their understanding of urban forestry and encouraging active participation in vital conservation initiatives.
Joining the event will be expert Maya Briones, Canopy Advocate Associate, who has coordinated tree planting and management programs in East Palo Alto.
Prior to Canopy, Maya researched the effectiveness of the San Mateo County Tree Replacement Program as a planning intern. She is a co-author of published research on access to green space and hopes to continue researching environmental justice issues in graduate school in the future.
She is a graduate of San José State University's Environmental Studies program, where she focused on habitat restoration and resource management, with a minor in Mexican-American Studies.
Maya is currently a graduate student at San Jose State University's School of Environmental Studies.
It should be noted that attendance at this event is completely free, but it is necessary to register. In addition to the fact that people will also be able to access the event through the Zoom virtual platform, where there will be simultaneous translation into Spanish.
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