The Garry Oak Coalition is a Washington State 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to environmental education. We are also a community action group based on Lakewood, committed to raising awareness of this native tree species and its unique ecosystem.
It’s also helpful if the city can hear from you. You can send your comments to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and City Council Members to the City Clerk, Briana Schumacher, who will forward them: <[email protected]>
Finally, if you’d like to join our campaign for a more sustainable Lakewood, contact us at [email protected].
We need help with doorknocking like this and other ways to put pressure on the city and to reach more Lakewood residents.
The city made a propaganda film about what a great job they are doing preserving trees in Lakewood. At one point Bugher says that the construction of an apartment complex (Echelon) “allowed us to preserve THOUSANDS of oak trees that might have otherwise been lost” (!!!)
Here is the link to the Facebook post with the film - please comment below it:
Please contact us about the former OAKWOOD school on 85th Street South here.
There are 80+ Garry oaks on the former Oakwood Elementary School property, which people now use as a park for strolling, and taking children and dogs for walks. Every single tree is slated to be destroyed for another warehouse. The largest oak we measured there had a 46" diameter at breast height (DBH). (A 250 year old oak can be 27" DBH.)
A just 6" Garry oak qualifies as a “significant tree” …
This morning someone from the planning department called me to tell me that indeed, the oak cutting at Alfaretta was indeed illegal, that code enforcement will be sent out today and that the owner will be fined. I do not know yet how much, nor whether the tree-cutting company will also be fined.
She also told me something to the effect that the owner would be instructed not to do anything else to the property until her application is decided on, and appeal process over, if that happens.
