Sims announces partnership to plant "200,000 Trees in 2000"

King County Executive Ron Sims today announced a new partnership to plant 200,000 trees along the Interstate 90 Mountains to Sound Greenway next year. This “200,000 Trees in 2000” project is aimed at restoring watershed forests and improving water quality in local rivers and lakes.

“Restoring watershed forests is one of the most effective ways to enhance water quality in our rivers and lakes. With native salmon now listed as an endangered species, this has never been more important. Healthy forestlands also provide habitat for salmon and wildlife, and attractive open space buffers between urban and rural areas,” said King County Executive Ron Sims.

“Making our community more green is a great way to usher in the new millennium,” Sims continued. “The King County WaterWorks grant program has contributed $50,000 toward this effort. I am pleased King County is able to play a role in improving our environment, and I thank the WaterWorks program and King County Councilmember Larry Phillips for their work in providing funds for this project.” The King County WaterWorks grant program was initiated by Councilmember Phillips to support grassroots work to improve the environment, and the health of our waterways.

United States Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman will note the importance of this and other tree planting projects today as he delivers the keynote address Wednesday morning for the American Forests National Urban Forest Conference in Seattle. Executive Sims also will talk about the “200,000 Trees in 2000” project during the closing keynote address for the conference on September 3.

“This unique effort to plant 200,000 trees within a single county next year using volunteers exemplifies the spirit of cooperation in the Seattle area that makes so many wonderful projects possible. ‘200,000 Trees in 2000’ truly is an innovative model for other communities across the nation,” said United States Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman.

“200,000 Trees in 2000” is a partnership between King County Park System, King County Department of Natural Resources, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, American Forests, National Tree Trust, Weyerhaeuser, and the King County World Conservation Corps. Tree and shrub plantings will begin in January 2000 and continue throughout the 2000 planting season. The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, the King County Park System, and the World Conservation Corps are coordinating the planting effort, and will enlist volunteers to help with the job. As many as 1,500 volunteers are expected to take part.

“Working with volunteers in the community is what really makes this a great project. This is an excellent opportunity for people to improve our environment and learn about the benefits of healthy forests first-hand,” said Doug Schindler from the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust.

Most of the planting sites are in the King County Park System, but other sites include Washington State Department of Natural Resources lands and Interstate 90 right-of-way. Nearly 20 King County Parks have been identified for large plantings, including Coal Creek Park, Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, Taylor Mountain Forest, and Grand Ridge Park.

“200,000 Trees in 2000” is part of Global ReLeaf, an American Forests campaign to plant 20 million trees in the US and around the world for the new millennium. To date, nearly 10 million trees have been planted by more than 10,000 volunteers.

“Along with the environmental benefits to the Puget Sound region, this ‘200,000 Trees in 2000’ project is a big boost to our Global ReLeaf campaign. This is the most extensive county tree planting project in the United States, and we’re excited to be a part of it,” said Deborah Gangloff, American Forests Executive Director.

National Tree Trust is supplying over 80% of the 200,000 trees for the project as part of their national effort to promote community tree planting on public land. Through involvement in projects like these, and through its tree planting and education programs, the National Tree Trust has been able to plant over six million trees on public land across the country.

“The initiative shown by Doug Schindler and the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust in coming up with this project, and the ability to marshal the number of volunteers to carry it out, is to be applauded. We are indeed proud to be the major supplier of trees for this effort,” said George Cates, Executive Director of the National Tree Trust.

Residents interested in volunteering for a “200,000 Trees in 2000” planting should contact Tor Bell at the King County Park System at 206-296-2990, or Doug Schindler at Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust at 206-382-5565.

Updated: Sept. 1, 1999