The Hollywood/LA Beautification Team (HBT), Koreatown Youth & Community Center (KYCC), Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC), Northeast Trees (NET) are co-hosting a local tree planting event to celebrate the multiple job creation and community health benefits that have been realized through projects completed by the four non-profit groups.  The projects  are funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  The tree plantings will be conducted by students, volunteers and organizational staff.  Numerous elected officials have been invited to attend and participate.   The event will take place at the Foshay Learning Center, located at Western Ave and Exposition Blvd. on Monday December 5th at 9am.

The goals of the American Recovery and Reinvest Act were to create new jobs, save existing ones, spur economic activity, and invest in long-term growth.  Combined, these four groups received over $1.6 million in ARRA grants administered by California ReLeaf in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service.  These grants have supported more than 34,000 employment hours contributed to the LA work force by teaching green job skills to at-risk youth and cleaning the county’s air and water through the planting, care and maintenance of over 21,000 trees since April, 2010.  The Foshay Learning Center tree-planting embodies all of the goals of the ARRA and further demonstrates the need to sustain these efforts after the ARRA projects have been completed.

Trees bring life to California and have a remarkable effect on our communities.  Trees provide benefits like cleaning the air and cooling hot streets, trees are linked to reduced crime and increased property values.  California ReLeaf works hand in hand with local organizations throughout the state to preserve, protect, and enhance California’s community forests.

A donation to California ReLeaf is a gift to the citizen’s of California for generations to come.  Consider supporting us this holiday season and invest in California!  As a special bonus, all donations of $100 or more between now and December 31, 2011 will receive a copy of A Californian’s Guide to the Trees Among Us as a special gift.

Click here to donate and give the gift of trees.

The state of California will join environmental groups in a lawsuit against the federal government to protect trees growing on levees.

The state Department of Fish and Game announced Wednesday it will join the federal lawsuit, initiated earlier this year by Sacramento-based Friends of the River.

The suit challenges a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers policy that bans trees on levees, on grounds that trees undermine levee stability and maintenance practices.

“If adhered to, the policy will do incredible damage to California’s remaining riparian and adjacent riverine ecosystem, especially in the Central Valley,” said Fish and Game Director Charlton Bonham.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/11/10/4045525/california-to-sue-feds-over-levee.html#ixzz1eMWBOL9c

Dr. Matt Ritter and his book “A Californian’s Guide to the Trees Among Us” has been featured in a great review by Joan S. Bolton of the Santa Maria Times. This book is perfect for both the novice and the person with extensive knowledge of the trees in their communities. To read the entire review and article, click here.

Donate $100 or more to California ReLeaf before December 31, 2011 and receive a copy of Dr. Ritter’s book as a special thank you!

You can donate here right now.