By creating pathways for more homes and more trees in the landscape, Home in Tacoma Phase Two could go down as one of the most important environmental and climate actions of our generation. But developers are fighting to remove private property tree protections. It's time to take action so Tacoma implements unified codes that will enable the growth critical infrastructure of trees and “middle housing” at the same time.

In this essay, Eden Standley interviews TTF partners, Robb Krehbiel and Vivian deZwager about their alternative yards, and explains why it is actually greener on the other side—when there’s no lawn. The post provides numerous tips for anyone curious about creating an alternative yard, as well as ways to start small.

New data from our Branch Out event this February offers a promising look at our impact.