Not everyone in Spokane can step outside their door and see trees lining the street. Underserved neighborhoods often have fewer trees, while other parts of town boast greener, cooler surroundings.
People living in areas with fewer trees can experience higher temperatures, increased health risks, increased energy use, and lower property values.
The City of Spokane is looking to reduce that disparity by growing Spokane’s urban tree canopy, bringing many benefits to underserved neighborhoods and the city as a whole.
“When our tree canopy thrives, so do our people,” said City of Spokane Assistant Director of Natural Resources Angel Spell.
Trees have many benefits, from helping people save energy to improving air quality. And planting the right trees in the right place can benefit property values, reduce crime, and create a sense of community, too.
The urban forestry department carefully considers where a tree should be planted and works with individual property owners, as needed.
They use special software that helps them plan and manage the canopy, according to Angel. It lets them assess the health of Spokane’s current trees, understand neighborhood disparities, and identify the best areas for new plantings.
"We are using a software program to understand what we have now and what we could have in the future," said Angel. “This software helps the city know where to plant trees in the right place, to benefit the most people.”
The City of Spokane received a grant from Avista’s Named Communities Investment Fund (NCIF) to purchase the software.
“We’ve always had a strong relationship with Avista. And this grant from the Named Communities Investment Fund came to us at exactly the right time to fill a gap,” said Angel. “The support made it possible for us to purchase this software that we need to manage these projects.”
The NCIF is part of Avista’s commitment to Washington’s Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA), which is a state law that requires an equitable transition to a carbon-free electricity supply by 2045.
To comply with the law, Avista must show that Washington customers benefit from the transition to clean energy through fair distribution of energy and non-energy benefits, and reduced burdens in Named Communities.
Named Communities, such as tribal nations, low-income areas, rural communities, and others, may often experience environmental, health, or socioeconomic inequalities related to unemployment, housing and food security, or adverse environmental factors.
The NCIF helps those underserved communities by awarding grants that fund energy-saving upgrades and other innovative energy projects. Additionally, the fund helps get more of our community partners involved in Washington’s transition to clean energy.
“We are glad to support the creation of greener, more vibrant neighborhoods while also helping to reduce energy use through the natural cooling effect of tree shade,” said Kristine Meyer, Avista NCIF program manager.
Avista joins the Lands Council and the Spokane Conservation District in being key partners for this work, according to Angel. And the community is very supportive, too.
"We're getting a lot of volunteers out helping us. Residents who have been waiting for a tree for a long time are finally seeing them planted in their neighborhoods," said Angel. “This enthusiasm is important because the urban forestry program relies on community members to care for the trees.”
The goal of Spokane's urban forestry program is to achieve a 30% canopy cover across the city. "We build this one tree at a time," Angel emphasized.
With Avista's support, other partners, and the dedication of Spokane's residents, this vision is becoming a reality that will benefit Spokane for years to come.
“There’s a lot of meaningful, purposeful work happening in the Spokane community right now, and we all need a partner,” said Angel. “And there’s no better partner than Avista when it comes to focusing on community benefits.”