Current Decision Regarding Ingraham High School in Seattle

December 2, 2010

It is with great sadness we report that the Ingraham Trees LUPA case in Superior Court was decided, the result being that the Ingraham Trees may be removed. We have until December 9, 2010 to appeal this decision to the Court of Appeals. We would greatly appreciate letters be sent to the following groups to express why the trees should remain. This includes educational value, filtration vaue for water and air and social value for the neighborhood and the City.

The following links will help to get our message out.

The Seattle City Council contact site:http://www.seattle.gov/council/councilcontact.htm

The Seattle School Board:http://www.seattleschools.org/area/board/contact.xml

The City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development:Diane Sugimura, Directormailto:Directordiane.sugimura@seattle.gov

And the Mayor's office:http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/contact.htm

At this point phone calls (all the phone numbers are at each of the above links) may be more effective than email, but either way the message is to save the Ingraham Northwest Grove. Move the addition to another place on campus. And request they be better stewards for our environment here in the Northwest.

Tell Your Friends.

Ingraham

On November 5, 2010 Save The Trees-Seattle appeared in a LUPA hearing before Justice Theresa Doyle. This hearing was to argue for an EIS to be performed by the Seattle School District before removing any trees from the Ingraham campus. Also, Save The Trees-Seattle asked that the MUP granted by DPD be denied.

Among the many errors that the District, past Hearing Examiners and DPD have made; Save The Trees Seattle limited the arguments to two specific issues.

The first issue being the lack of an EIS that would evaluate the campus for Environmental sensitivity regarding the entire site and how that interacts with the City.

The other issue was regarding the way DPD evaluated (or lack there of) the site to protect the rare plant habitat.

Currently Justice Theresa Doyle is reviewing Transcripts (3 hearings), Briefs and other evidence provided by DPD, Seattle School District and Save The Trees--Seattle.

We will post the decision.

Ingraham update

Ingraham is in the news again.

There is a new proposed addition called the "West Compressed Version". It is so "compressed" that the previous proposal was 17,000 sq. ft. and this new proposal is 18,000 with a terrace and roofed area instead of an indoor courtyard.

By the time the entire project is completed the actual square footage will be closer to 20,000 than 17, 000. I am sure, most of us know that 20,000 is larger than 17,000--thus begging me to ask: What is "compressed" in the "West Compressed Version"?

Careful examination of the records reveals the "compression" to be a "new" tree count, giving the grove 123 trees instead of 133 trees (compressed 10 trees).

What else?

Only trees inside the building footprint are counted as being removed. According to the School District 29 trees will be removed.

BUT 4 trees were removed in February 2008 (one has new sprouts) and 10 Madrone have been "reclassified" as dead or a Hazard. (they have leaves and are green and have new growth which appeared this last summer...) and one Douglas Fir has fallen during last year's storms. Also 4 trees are in limbo, apparently dependent on where the School District builds (which seems odd since the "West Compressed Version" plans have been submitted as finalized).

This means the actual loss in the Northwest Grove of Ingraham High School is 29 + 4 + 10 + 1 + (4) = 44 ( 48) . Oh, and don't forget the 10 compressed trees....

This number does NOT include the construction zone that encroaches upon the critical root zone of OTHER trees. To encroach into this zone is considered a death sentence to the trees due to certain root damage.

How many trees are being removed from the Northwest Grove? Unfortunately I can't answer the question, nor does the May 7, 2008 SEPA, the June 2009 Addendum SEPA or the School District Arborist's report with any clarity.

What is happening in the Northwest Grove at Ingraham High School?
Trees have sprouted new leaves, new sprouts have appeared around the trunks.
The School District has mowed down the New trailing Black Berry, Oregon Grape, Ferns, Fungi and other vegetation...along with tree trunks, damaging the new sprouts. Continual mowing since the fourth of July assures that any berries from the Madrone will be destroyed and thus will make sure there are no new sprouts in the spring.

The Saga of the Ingraham Northwest Grove vs. the Seattle School District is now in the capable hands of Keith Scully representing Save The Trees-Seattle. If you can help defray the legal expenses we would greatly appreciate it.

A Save and A Question, what next for Waldo and Ingraham?

On July 22, 2009 the Seattle Times published an article regarding WALDO WOODS: "Deal will save Waldo Woods in Seattle's Maple Leaf neighborhood". (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009512856_webwaldo21m.html)

Why do I care about this article?
Because it shows a community and a school working together to save trees.

The Maple Leaf Community has been struggling with a developer and the City of Seattle to keep Trees. To keep the Waldo Woods. A struggle that has cost the community thousands of dollars and three long years of work.

But, as the drama was drawing to an end at the King County Superior Court...the developer dropped out of sight..

Making room for a NEW player, a NEW developer and another chance for the Waldo Woods.
Into the picture comes the Menachem Mendel Seattle Cheder, a private Jewish school...

"We fell in love with the property at first sight," said Rabbi Yossi Charytan, head of the school. "The nature and the surroundings were very conducive to a school environment. We're going to let (the trees) be."

Read that last line again..."We're going to let (the trees) be."

A school that has taken the communities values: saving trees,
and made those values a part of its plans.

I applaud the Menachem Mendel Seattle Cheder,
for being an example of a true leader for future generations.
By working with the community.
Communicating with the public.
Sharing the communities values and ideals.
And walking the walk of Environmental Stewardship.

May Gods Blessings be upon the School and the Leaders.

And from this great news for Waldo Woods, comes again the reminder of the bitter sting, and the roller coaster ride of the Ingraham High School Northwest Grove.

If only the Seattle School District could see the light at Ingraham High School, that same conducive environment to learning and share the values and ideals of the Ingraham High School's neighbors.....imagine how many trees would be saved, and how much respect could be gained....

But that is not the case...the Seattle School District has once more filed building permits to build in the Northwest Grove of trees...empty space abounds on the 28 acres, but the School District deems vacant land environmentally more important than the 100 foot mature trees.

Save The Trees-Seattle awaits the Department of Planning and Developments decision regarding the "new west compressed version" of the Seattle School Districts plans for Ingraham, if only the Trees could be bought from the School...if only someone could come forward and offer the School District an outrageous sum of money to save the trees, if dreams and wishes could make it come true....

Ingraham High Schools Northwest Grove is destined for King County Superior Court, because the Seattle School District does not see trees as being conducive to education, learning or the environment....

Once more private and public education show their colors---tremendous difference in leadership values....Trees are environmentally important vs. trees have no business on a campus.

Wow, I pick the private school, my hat is off to the Menachem Mendel Seattle Cheder for being an Environmental Steward for the future! Keep up the GREAT WORK!

City Tree Crew..What are they doing in your neighborhood?

Well, it is summer and the City Tree Pruners are at it again!

The ones visiting our neighborhood this year said it was our "turn" on their 5 year cycle.

I have been here for almost 12 years and this is the first I have seen them. Which now raises some questions and a concern or two.

What concern me, is that our City did a Tree Inventory that was recently released. It pointed out that we had no current; as in up to date, as in tree by tree, as in species by species inventory count for the trees in this City. Why are the City Tree Pruners pruning trees and not counting, identifying and mapping where they are while they prune?

The satellite imagery in the tree inventory gave a canopy coverage for 2006, it is now 2009. How many trees have been removed from your neighborhood in the last 3 years? In my neighborhood at least 10, with the School District (directly next door) wanting to remove another 50+.

Well, now with the City Tree Pruners here in my neighborhood this week, I can add 3 more trees to the 10 (these are within 4 blocks of my home) which is 13 trees in 3 years, all mature (over 20 years). How many have the City Tree Pruners removed in your neighborhood? How about developers, storms and neighbors who are "tired of the mess"? How many trees have been destroyed? Or left structurally unsound and will end up being removed?

I think one way to get a handle on our tree inventory, and how many trees are REALLY in this City is to require the City Tree Pruners to count the trees they prune, map where those trees are, identify the species and record how many they cut down.

Another way to improve our true knowledge of a tree inventory in this City is for home owners to send to the newly formed Tree Commission a post card that says how many trees are in their yard, what the diameter is at 4 1/2 feet from the ground (dbh) and if they know the species write it down. If they send in the post card the City could give a credit on their water bill of 2 dollars or something. Emphasize they get the credit with or without trees. The count is very important and we want the correct number not just someone wanting a credit, so the incentive must be for the card, not what is on it. We need an inventory.

And we need to keep what we have and add more to it. Thus we must encourage those who do not have trees on their property, or live in an area where there are very few trees to plant trees. So we can use these cards to target areas needing more trees. And we can send out information for people to learn how to keep their current trees healthy. (Maybe have a webinar).

I know it sounds like I don't like tree pruning or tree removal. Don't get me wrong here, I think that Tree Pruning is a necessity for keeping a healthy tree. There are trees that never need pruning but they do need to be checked out for storm damage, critter damage and disease. I believe that everyone should be responsible for keeping their trees healthy and hiring a certified arborist to do just that. And, yes, there are times that a tree has to be removed: hazardous, disease, and too much storm damage are all good reasons to remove trees. But, please if you think a tree needs removing check with a certified arborist. And whether the tree is saved or needs removal...let the certified arborist do the work. And where do you find these specialist for trees? Try the International Society of Arboriculture. The ISA is a good place to learn about tree care, and what to look for in a professional and where to look.

So, take care of your trees...we want them for eternity.

TREE WARS

Yep, those pesky tree huggers are still at it.
They just keep hanging on.
Seattle has tree haters.

Found in the most unusual place.
The Seattle School District, Excellence For All and educators for the future they proclaim.

But, one must question what they are teaching:

Community awareness it is not,
Neighborhood cooperation it is not,
Conservation of natural resources it is not,
Protecting the Environment for future generations it is not,
Creative thinking to protect and nourish the environment it is not,

And the proof is at Ingraham High School,
as the Northwest Grove is being attacked once more.

Who will protect these trees?
The Tree Advocates, the tree huggers.

And where do they arise from.
From our History;

Martin Luther: “For the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.”

Abraham Lincoln: “Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”

And finally a well loved author of the ages:
Dr. Seuss: “I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.”

So it seems as if,
the good battle for trees,
costs the gold and silver as Martin Luther says they are worth,
the depth of Character and
the voice of a tree advocate to protect them.

If you are like Martin Luther,
Abraham Lincoln and
the Lorax
then you also are ready to be a Tree Advocate,
you also will sacrifice to Save The Trees.

Thank You.


Please use the Pay Pal button to donate or
Send donations ,
Made out to Save the Trees-Seattle

To: Save the Trees-Seattle
C/O Steve Zemke
2131 N 132nd Street
Seattle WA 98133

Tree School

The Seattle School District is still in Tree School.

In May the City Hearing Examiner gave a lesson concerning Trees and Habitat.

Trees and Habitat are a pair. And for the Ingraham Trees, the habitat is the life blood for the trees, and the trees are the life blood for the habitat.

Yep, the Chicken and the Egg thing, which came first?

I think for an area to be called a Habitat, it needs to have food and shelter. Which the Ingraham Trees do all alone, but they do it better with an understory.
But, can Habitat exist without trees? Of course, but it too will be specific for certain critters and will lack the overstory.

In other words, Habitat is composed of more than one element, the more elements the more value to the habitat, the more likely rare species are present. Pretty simple formula.

The Ingraham Trees consist of a rare, uncommon plant association. Trees are plants, as are salal, Oregon grape, evergreen huckleberry, red huckleberry, bitter cherry, rhododendron, fungi, Willows, flowers, and others.

Ingraham has an uncommon plant association for the City of Seattle, which attracts species of Wildlife that are also dwindling in Seattle and happen to be on the State of Washington Priority Species list.

So, back to the beginning Habitat or Trees? Or Habitat and Trees? Or in truth; Habitat includes Trees.

The Habitat including the trees is what saved the Ingraham Trees.

Yet, the School District may still try to remove parts of the rare and uncommon plant association in the Northwest Grove at Ingraham High School.

What grade would you give them for Tree School if they do?