The goal of the T.R.E.E.S. Project has been to devise and implement a series of Best Management Practices (BMPs) that can enable Los Angeles to function as an urban forest watershed. Through the use of these BMPs, we believe that such problems as flooding, drought, air and water pollution, excessive and expensive energy usage, and urban blight can be effectively and simultaneously addressed -- while also creating approximately 50,000 new jobs for inner-city youth as mini-watershed managers. To accomplish this goal, TreePeople organized a design "charrette" that was held at the Getty Center over a period of four days in May of 1997. During that time, some of the nation's most progressive landscape and building architects, hydrologists and engineers, urban foresters, and government representatives developed an array of BMPs for five representative types of public and private property land uses in Los Angeles. Four of these BMPs were then installed in a demonstration project at a single-family residence in South Central Los Angeles that was formally opened for public viewing on August 13, 1998. The opening ceremony/demonstration was attended by representatives of sponsoring agencies, distinguished guests, and members of the press. Extensive electronic and print media coverage introduced the concepts of sustainable designs to the public. On the recommendation of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council, the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program awarded a $150,000 grant to the $ 495,000 project. For further information, contact Andy Lipkis, President, TreePeople, 12601 Mulholland Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Phone: (818) 753-4600. E-mail: treepeople@igc.apc.org.

1995 Costs & Benefits of Urban Forests Project