[cid:image003.jpg@01C99CA9.9CC74180]News Release >From the City of Tacoma, Washington www.cityoftacoma.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 3, 2009 MEDIA CONTACTS Karrie Spitzer, Community Relations, karrie.spitzer@cityoftacoma.org<file:///\\tmb00701\com-rel\News\Releases\2008\November\karrie.spitzer@cityoftacoma.org>, (253) 591-5790 Ramie Pierce, Public Works, trees@cityoftacoma.org<mailto:trees@cityoftacoma.org>, (253) 591-2048 Draft of Urban Forestry Policy available for feedback Citizens can now participate in creating the City's Urban Forest Policy, which is part of the 2010 Comprehensive Plan Amendment. A draft of the policy was released last week and is currently available for public comment until May of this year. The policies will help address many issues that our urban forest faces, including: Heritage trees, protecting native species, trees and construction, establishing a citizen advisory board or commission to have input on urban forestry and open space issues. Establishing this policy also supports the City's Green Ribbon Climate Action Plan, the Safe and Clean initiative and other sustainable/green initiatives. The purpose of the Urban Forest policy is to preserve, protect, and improve the health and general welfare of the public by promoting the public benefit of saving, maintaining and planting trees. This is a great opportunity to get involved with the formation of your City's tree policies. View a draft of the policy and submit your comments online at www.cityoftacoma.org/evergreenTacoma<http://www.cityoftacoma.org/evergreenTacoma> or by e-mail trees@cityoftacoma.org<mailto:trees@cityoftacoma.org>. ###