Ingraham’s trees will be cut down
Seattle Public Schools has decided to cut down 92 trees at Ingraham High School in North Seattle. I don’t know much about the politics of the decision. But I do know about the trees and what it meant to grow up near them.
When I was little, I spent eight years on the Madison Mad Dogs (are the best!) swim team directly next to the trees in question. Being an environment reporter, I know the trees are a valuable resource. But looking back in my memories, I remember a sense of horror whenever I got too close to them. The few times I did venture into them (via dares from other children) I found things that no six-year-old should ever find - used condoms, drug paraphernalia, beer bottles etc. After that I took care to stay away from them with super hero-like force.
Even when I got older and worked at the pool, I took care to park far away from the trees when I closed up at 11 p.m. Maybe I was being paranoid, or maybe I was being safe. At the same time, the trees have always been a part of the school, and I don’t remember anything really sinister coming from their existence. In fact all the sinister things seemed to happen in buildings.
It seems a good example of when environmentalism comes face to face with other issues …. like security. Which one do you think should win out?
For more, visit the PI’s blog here, the Stranger here or Majority Rules here (photo above courtesy of Majority Rules).
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August 9th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Thanks! Really interesting. I wish i could spend my time on writing articles…just have no time for it.
August 11th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
A few weeks ago there was a post called “The point of green awards? Seattle experts weigh in,” talking about the pluses and minuses about green awards. Most award programs in the Northwest (Seattle’s included) salute projects or companies. The BetterBricks Awards, which salute the people behind the best projects, the green building champions in the Northwest. These are the leaders that show the way and inspire others. I think these awards are compatible with the other “Green building” awards like AIA WMIG, etc.
This will be the fourth year BetterBricks has honored architects, owners, engineers, building operators and advocates in Puget Sound. A new category this year will recognize the best integrated design team in the Seattle area. The awards are coming to Seattle’s Bell Harbor International Conference Center on Oct. 17 at 7:30 a.m. Nominations are still welcome, but time is running out as the deadline is Sept. 5.
Check out http://www.BetterBricks.com/Awards for more information.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Hi,
The trees by the pool are known as the EAST forest and are considered safe at the moment. And are probably the trees you are referring to in your article. The trees that are pictured above and are to be killed by loggers are the WEST trees away from the pool, on the other side of the school.
There is currently a restraining order on the removal of the trees. Come by and check them out.
The School District appears to be planning to cut them down regardless of a restraining order. I wonder, can you put school board members in jail?
August 7th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Now that you are grown up you might want to revisit the trees next to the Helene Madison Pool. They are not the trees in the picture but are about the same age. They are mostly 75 years old. The trees the Seattle School District is still trying to cut down are on the West side of the school. The trees by the pool are on the east side.
Why I say revisit is because the trees comprise a natural area that is also a rare plant habitat - a madrone conifer forest. There are only about 50 acres in all of Seattle that comprise this forest type. The Seattle Parks Dept has had an agreement with the Seattle School District to maintain this as a park like area.
The area is full of a variety of plants and trees and has lots of bird life. It affords students and neighbors an opportunity to view nature as the whole area used to be.
Unfortunately Seattle has lost over half of its urban forest tree canopy that it had in 1973. From some 40% trees we now have about 23% by a recent estimate.
Trees help reduce storm runoff, clean the air, and provide habitat for animal life like birds. Neighbors help keep the area clean and these days trash and problems are minimal. One can find more trash scattered around the school grounds itself than in the trees.
Everyone needs to take responsibility for helping keep our city clean. The west forest area likewise sees minimal problems. Where there are people there will be litter unless people take responsibility and clean it up and don’t litter in the first place..