The tree planting has significant impact on
our climate on our environment
the other benefits that kind of
manifest from that is really that true Community Building.
My name is Kiana Kazemi. And today I'll guide
us through a conversation on Cooperative climate action.
We're meeting up with Joel if American Forest to
talk about how trees are essential for communities
to thrive. We'll learn about the small steps we can take today
for a better Outdoors tomorrow.
So tell me what is the role of trees in our
urban communities trees are essential infrastructure. There
are best air conditioner our best air filter a natural
sponge and so many other carbon capture
environmental benefits when we talk about all of these
technical terms and we talk about the climate. Sometimes it's
really hard to talk to the community about that. So
how do you approach that when you're living in a community that maybe not
doesn't have a lot of trees and has other issues. You
aren't necessarily thinking about carbon capture. Right? But you
are thinking about how high it is when you're waiting at the bus stop or
when you're trying to play with your kids in the
park. You don't have anywhere to get shade. Yeah, and so
talking to people about issues that impact them on
a daily basis is really how you want to start the conversation. So
are there things that people can do Beyond just planting
a treat showing up a City Council meetings signing petitions
using your social media to amplify messaging all
of these small steps together create huge Collective
impact to transform our cities.
I know that's something that American forest does is
provide access to this thing called the tree Equity score. So
what does that look like? Can you run me through it tree Equity score
is an online map and tool that
American Forest developed to help people see where the
tree canopy gaps are in their city and
you can take that information to City Council meetings to
private sector to anyone and really
paint the picture of where trees are needed
and who can benefit the most from more trees.
Having access to information like this is not
only really inspiring but also empowering and
knowing how to take action and a resource that
I refer to often is Rei's Cooperative Action Network that
helps me better understand and have access
to initiatives that are happening around the country that
I can tap into having that information easily available
online is really critical to making this work possible. And
I'm glad you mentioned REI because American Force Partners
REI to help Advance tree equity and build
healthy resilient force and communities across the country.
We caught up with Monica Taveras vice president
of The Greening of Detroit to learn about the impact that
nearly developed green spaces have on urban
communities The Greening of Detroit is truly about
connecting community members residents
to really support and develop
a healthier and cleaner Community
for those all those who work here
play here most importantly live here in the city of Detroit
the community drives our programs in
that they help shape them. They help shape what they are. They
want to know that their voice
is part of the development through our
efforts. We make them part of that process. It's
all of us. It's all of us doing our part It's
key that we all interact to make
it possible.
To me. That's the most inspirational part of this work.
Is seeing people come together in the community take Cooperative
action to really make a difference. It's funny
because you know, I have a 14 year old daughter who says if
you like tree so much. Why do you spend so much time indoors? So
I have to explain to her that trees are more than about having something
nice to look at or providing shade or even the amazing climate benefits.
They provide trees are really about all the opportunities it
provides to bring people together and to inspire
the next generation of Advocates and Stuarts. Yeah to
make the world a better place. Is there anything you want to tell anyone that
might be interested in joining in on the Cooperative action messaging and
meeting people where they're at. It's so important and we
like to say that when one person takes a small action towards climate Equity.
It's like planting a sea.
When many others joined them we can build a forest. That's
so beautiful, and I can't wait to meet you at that Forest.
Thank you. Thank you.