GRIT Project Makes South Tacoma a Focus Neighborhood
An example of a South Tacoma street with a large planting strip where shade trees could go!
At Tacoma Tree Foundation, we believe that community and trees grow together. South Tacoma will be a neighborhood of focus for us in 2022–2023 thanks to a unique collaboration known as G.R.I.T.: Greening Research in Tacoma.
The “subarea” around the Tacoma mall—roughly bordered by South Tacoma Way, Interstate 5, and 48th Street—has been identified by the City as an “urban growth center,” where larger-scale development will be allowed to take place in order to house more people, more efficiently, in the future.
The neighborhood is characterized by lots of pavement and very low tree coverage (just 10%, as compared to the 20% city average). These factors are making the mall neighborhood several degrees hotter on average than other parts of Tacoma, an issue known as the urban heat island effect, which impacts the overall quality of life in the area.
So how will this neighborhood add shade and reduce pavement while also building more apartments and upgrading other infrastructure? And what are the benefits of doing so? Thes are important questions, not only for the mall neighborhood, but also for Tacoma, Pierce County, and all of Western Washington. And we want to help crack the code!
Thanks to grant funding from the U.S. Forest Service and the Puget Sound Partnership, the following partners are collaborating on some long-term projects in South Tacoma to tackle different sides of this question.
NEW TREES: The City of Tacoma is adding 300+ street trees and other “green stormwater infrastructure” in 2022 as part of the Madison District capital improvement project. Trees help reduce polluted stormwater that is affecting wildlife in Puget Sound!
WELL-BEING STUDY: The University of Washington (UW) is recruiting 500+ people from the Tacoma mall neighborhood for a year-long study on the relationship between trees and human well-being. Participants will be compensated for answering survey questions and providing input on their experience with the trees and their vision for the community. One of the goals of the study is to share insights and results with the community following its completion.
COMMUNITY SCIENCE: The Nature Conservancy in Washington (TNC) has installed 30+ temperature loggers around the neighborhood to measure and track local temperatures and study any changes over time. TNC will also work with community members to develop community-led science projects related to urban greening and sustainability.
RELATIONSHIPS: Tacoma Tree Foundation (TTF) is supporting all these efforts through building relationships, sharing information, and identifying new greening opportunities. TTF will also host a variety of free community events, such as educational walks, tree giveaways, and tree plantings.
If you live, work, or play in this neighborhood, we want to hear from you!
TTF Executive Director Lowell Wyse installs one of the temperature loggers with The Nature Conservancy in Washington
We are looking for:
Ideas about how and where to remove pavement, plant trees, conduct science projects, and build community!
Participants in the UW study. Adults living in South Tacoma may be eligible to take surveys and be compensated for your time.
Participants in a community advisory group to meet quarterly to discuss neighborhood priorities related to greening, such as how and where to invest time and resources.
Property owners and landscapers interested in learning more about the economic and social benefits of tree planting, natural landscaping, pavement removal, and other sustainable choices.
We are offering:
Resources related to greening your neighborhood and your own backyard
Trees and planting plans for certain property types—including public, commercial, multifamily residential, light industrial, private community and religious centers—with the most opportunity for creating an impact in the mall area
Compensation for your time if you join the community advisory group meetings
We at TTF are so excited to be involved in this project. We look forward to being more of a presence and a resource in South Tacoma in the years ahead!
