University of Washington Environment & Well-being Lab Science Presentation

This is a free event but please obtain a "ticket" so that we can send you the Zoom link ahead of the March 19th presentation-- thank you! (An account is required to login & RSVP- non-members can create a free account.)

This presentation will focus on urban greening efforts in Tacoma: the Greening Research in Tacoma (GRIT) project, a collaborative effort with the University of Washington Environment & Well-being Lab, The Nature Conservancy of Washington, Tacoma Tree Foundation, and the City of Tacoma.

The GRIT project is focused on the Tacoma Mall Regional Growth Center and surrounding neighborhoods. Located in South Tacoma, these areas have low tree canopy cover and access to greenspace, and a high level of impervious surface cover. Resident access and exposure to natural features and related benefits are therefore limited. The City of Tacoma has a goal of increasing tree canopy in the Tacoma Mall subarea to 25% by 2040, which could be achieved in large part by planting street trees. The aims of the GRIT project are to develop a better understanding of the socio-environmental benefits of greening efforts in the Tacoma Mall area, and takeaways that could inform future greening efforts in the Mall area and beyond.

Olivia Hill, a doctoral student with the EWB Lab and in the School of Environmental & Forest Sciences at UW, will discuss findings from qualitative research conducted as part of the GRIT project. The aim of this work was to better understand the community context in the Tacoma Mall area as it relates to trees and urban greening efforts, environmental surroundings and conditions, and other relevant challenges and priorities.