Los Angeles tree advocate educates communities on the city’s diverse urban forest

Stephanie Carrie leads tree tours across Los Angeles to raise awareness about the city’s canopy, its environmental benefits the need for equitable tree distribution.

Victoria Namkung reports for The Guardian.

In short:

• Stephanie Carrie uses her Instagram account, Trees of LA walking tours to teach residents about LA’s urban forest and the importance of tree diversity.
• Many palm trees planted in the 1930s are nearing the end of their lifespan, prompting calls to replace them with drought-tolerant species.
• LA’s Green New Deal aims to increase canopy cover in underserved neighborhoods, addressing tree inequity and its ties to environmental justice.

Key quote:

“It’s important to work with communities rather than just coming in and having strangers planting a bunch of trees.”

— Stephanie Carrie, tree advocate

Why this matters:

Urban trees mitigate heat, clean the air support mental health, but many low-income neighborhoods lack sufficient canopy cover. Addressing tree inequity helps combat climate change while improving residents’ quality of life.

Learn more: Urgent tree planting needed in underprivileged urban areas