It was about 80 percent into Forterra’s South Sound Luncheon last week, after Tacoma Deputy Mayor Ryan Mello praised the organization for its holistic approach to land conservation, after Forterra Conservation Director (Tacoma) Jordan Rash, Forterra President Gene Duvernoy, Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland, Forterra board member Aaron Toso and Green Tacoma Partnership Director Matt Mega echoed Mello adding their two cents to the organizations’ goal of restoring and maintaining urban green spaces and green mixed-use projects when Green Tacoma Habitat Steward Rob Girvin grabbed the mic to promote Green Tacoma Day Saturday, Oct. 1. Girvin is responsible for saving Garfield Gulch among other Tacoma green spaces. He stressed the importance of maintaining urban forests — for reducing energy use, improving water quality, offering diverse wildlife habitat but also increasing human health and well-being by bring communities and families together.
Girvin of Garfield Gulch also stressed urban forests provide a lattice of green in an otherwise artificial landscape.
Beautiful.
C’mon Tacoma, let’s keep of fair city green. Join Green Tacoma Day and Arbor Day, Saturday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and help restore Tacoma’s 1,881 acres of urban green space.
Green Tacoma Partnership — a public-private venture between the city of Tacoma, Metro Parks Tacoma, Forterra, Citizens for a Healthy Bay, Pierce Conservation District, businesses such as Peaks and Pints, other non-profits and community members — is the force behind Green Tacoma Day. The Tacoma-based organization has chosen nine locations for restoration Saturday: Titlow Park, Ryan’s Park, Wapato Hills, Wapato Lake Park, Oak Tree Park, McKinley, Franklin Park and Brown’s Point Playfield and a special “depave” event at South 48th and Yakama/Thompson. Citizens for a Healthy Bay will be hosting a restoration at the Gog-le-hi-te Wetlands Oct. 8. Restoration activities will range from removing weeds and invasive plants to planting native trees and shrubs. At Titlow Park, for example, volunteers will learn how to plant a tree and help increase Tacoma’s tree canopy.
You don’t have to own a shovel to participate in Green Tacoma Day. Tools will be provided, although if you live and die by your special tool then my all means bring it. Be sure to dress for the weather, wear closed toe shoes, long pants and bring a water bottle.
Click here to find event details and sign up for a site near you. Registration is not required, but is encouraged.
