The City of Centralia invites community members to a tree open house on Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Fort Borst Park Arboretum to learn, share and celebrate Centralia’s growing urban forest.
Community members can drop in any time between 6 and 7:30 p.m. to enjoy refreshments, meet local volunteers and learn more about the city’s plans to protect and expand Centralia’s urban tree canopy.
This event marks an opportunity for the public to engage with city staff and volunteers about three major city initiatives: updating the public tree policy, a new downtown tree replacement program and improvements to the arboretum.
These efforts reflect Centralia’s commitment to a greener, safer and more resilient community, one rooted in thoughtful planning and sustainable practices, according to a news release.
“We’re working to ensure Centralia’s trees remain a defining and lasting part of our community,” Amy Buckler, deputy city manager and parks director, said in the release. “And we want to hear from our residents. Your input and ideas are a vital part of this process.”
The update to the city’s public tree policy will set new standards for planting, maintaining and protecting trees on public property, emphasizing biodiversity, safety and sustainability. It includes a goal of no net loss in canopy cover; planting native species and enhancing tree diversity; smart tree species and placement to protect sidewalks and infrastructure; and setting rules for tree removal, replanting and maintenance.
Meanwhile, the downtown tree replacement program aims to address aging and declining trees in the historic downtown core through a careful, phased approach to replacing them that protects both the urban canopy and public safety.
