Growing An Urban Forest: A New City Project
2025 started strong for Everett. Our city’s new Chamber of Commerce had its first meeting this month, House Bill 1217 was introduced in legislation that would limit rental increases (which would have beneficial impact on housing in our city), the Mayor announced that Everett will be 1 of 9 chosen FIFA Fan Zones in Washington State for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, and we’ve heard significant public outcry to save a local non-profit, Hope N’ Wellness.
Something else coming our way that will positively impact Everett is the Growing Urban Forest project. This project is for all of Snohomish County and is fully funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The grants were made possible due to the federal Urban and Community Forestry Program, which has committed over $100 million to the Pacific Northwest region to improve the well-being and green infrastructure of the area. These grants will fund the program for the next four years, until December 31, 2028.
Alberto Vazquez, Community Outreach Coordinator for Everett’s Parks Department, was able to share more information about this project and how it will benefit our community.
Essentially, by partnering with the Snohomish Conservation District, the City of Everett (along with the City of Marysville and the Tulalip Tribes) will have the opportunity to increase the tree canopy in certain urban neighborhoods around the city. The city will focus its attention on increasing the tree canopy in areas that have historically lacked trees as this enhanced tree cover will make these areas more walkable, will improve air quality and environmental health, and will promote social equity by providing better access to nature. Additionally, adding more trees is expected to reduce residential and business energy use and help mitigate climate change.
Everett’s goal is to plant (at least) 3,790 trees over the next 4 years, and the program’s goal is to plant 7,000 trees throughout Snohomish County within that same time period. In addition to investing in planting trees, the goal is to also raise awareness so residents know why tree cover in urban spaces is so important, as well as how this kind of environmental support works with non-urban forests and existing green spaces to create a healthier and more sustainable communities.
Something to keep in mind is that you can reach out to get a free tree. Really! Alberto shared that residents can request an inspection of their backyard, local park, or even a community gathering spot by reaching out to a City of Everett Parks or Snohomish County Conservation District representative. If you live in one of the participating areas and are found eligible, you can get a free tree and, if you’re not eligible (for whatever reason), there are other options available. So, if you’re interested, it’s worth reaching out to learn what your options are. As of now, several regional trees native to our local area are being offered, and within the next few months, edible trees will also be available.
If you do want to learn more, you can visit the Growing Urban Forest in Snohomish County site. There, you can find a map that highlights participating areas, an application you can complete for a tree, and contact information for if you have any questions. In the upcoming weeks and months, you’ll also be able to find a calendar on the website listing public events (including planting events) that the Parks Department will be hosting.
As the old saying goes, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” Thanks to this program, we now have the opportunity to invest in our vision for a greener and more vibrant Everett so, 20 years from now, we can look to the next 20 years under the shade provided by the trees we plant today.
Angela Di Filippo currently works in State Social Services and recently earned her Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with extensive training in evidence-based leadership coaching. Angela moved from North Carolina to Washington 6 years ago and has proudly called Everett her home for 5 of those years. When not helping others solve problems in creative and strength-driven ways, Angela enjoys her time painting, hiking with her terrier-mix, Indy, and eating waffles.
