Greening L.A.’s hottest streets
Bringing more trees, shade, and fresh air to L.A. by mapping where, what kind, and how many trees to plant for the biggest impact.
USC Launched 2020
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Capturing resident voices
Community voices are often missing from tree planning and policy decisions. To change that, the South LA Tree Coalition partnered with us to listen directly to local leaders—gathering their perspectives, needs, and ideas to shape more equitable, community-led urban forestry planning in South Los Angeles.
Our findings
We spoke to 34 community leaders; here’s what we heard:
Trees in South L.A.
play a role in community leaders’ perceptions of neighborhood identity, environmental conditions, as well as public health and safety.
Competing priorities, limited resources,
and lack of awareness present barriers to tree-related planning efforts in the community.
Community leaders value healthy tree canopy
in South L.A. and envision a future with equitable and intentional greenery supported by community initiatives and proper maintenance.
“It takes a village to get things done. No one agency can build the park; no one agency can maintain the park; no one agency can program the park; no one agency can do any of those things. Together, we can.”
Study participant
In their own words
Hear from the residents of South L.A. about what trees mean to the community.
Go further
Our study elevates resident voices and input to inform tree-related decision making in South L.A.
Read the full report, also available in Español
Reference the summary one-pager, also available in Español
Partners at South L. A. Tree Coalition
Theresa Maysonet
Co-founder
South L.A. Tree Coalition
Robin Gilliam
Co-founder
South L.A. Tree Coalition
Members of the nonprofit North East Trees plant a tree in the Imperial Gardens public housing development in Watts in August 2021.
Photo source: Genaro Molina for the Los Angeles Times
In the news
Study reveals attitudes about lack of trees in South L.A.
One way to tackle the unequal distribution of trees across Los Angeles is to plant more of them in places lacking a robust canopy, like East and South L.A.
But a new study helmed by USC Public Exchange and the South L.A. Tree Coalition suggests the solution will need to be more multifaceted after decades of environmental injustice.
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