November 5, 2002 - Dore Burry Fire Green Trees Grant Proposal.pdf · The McPherson report, ......

March 27th, 2009 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Urban Forestry – Southern Operations 2524 Mulberry Street Riverside, CA 92501 Dear Mrs. Srader, We are pleased to submit the following proposal to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for the “Green Trees for the Golden State” Grant Program. The tree plantings in our proposal “Targeted Low-Canopy Project Areas in Central and South Los Angeles” are critical in helping to reverse the inadequacy of canopy across the Central and Southern portions of Los Angeles. The McPherson report, as well as several other canopy studies of Los Angeles, indicates that in these regions, canopy coverage is approximately 11%. Through the GTFTGS Grant Program and leveraging other resources, KYCC will be able to survey, mark, canvass, and plant approximately 500 new street trees. Of the 500 street trees, KYCC will be partnering with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps and Million Trees LA to plant 150 trees in newly created concrete cuts. These plantings will help increase the percentage of canopy coverage and provide a wide range of benefits to a broad spectrum of stakeholders. KYCC is requesting $70,690.84 for this project. Matching contributions in the forms of materials, services, equipment usage, as well as funds, considerably exceeds the Cal Fire requirement. We thank Cal Fire for this opportunity, and look forward to working on many more responsible and forward-thinking urban forestry projects with your Department in the future. The individuals authorized to represent KYCC are:

Name Position Address Telephone No. Johng Ho Song Executive Director 3727 West 6th Street, Suite 300 213-365-7400

Los Angeles, CA 90020 Ext. 231

Joe St. John Fiscal Manager 3727 West 6th Street, Suite 300 213-365-7400 Los Angeles, CA 90020 Ext. 243

Sam Joo Director of Programs 3727 West 6th Street, Suite 300 213-365-7400

Unit Manager Los Angeles, CA 90020 Ext. 136

Dore Burry Environmental Services 1319 West Pico Blvd. 213-743-8750 (o)

Unit Manager Los Angeles, CA 90015 213-216-4814 (c) I certify that KYCC will abide by all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations that relate to this, and all of our programs and projects. Furthermore, I understand I am the designee for the proposed project. Sincerely, Johng Ho Song Executive Director

Koreatown Youth and Community Center, Inc. Proposal: Green Trees for the Golden State Grant Program Title: Targeted Low-Canopy Project Areas in Central and South Los Angeles Submitted to: CAL FIRE Due: April 3rd, 2009

KYCC’s “Targeted Low-Canopy Project Areas in Central

and South Los Angeles”

TABLE OF CONTENTS GTFTGS Cover Sheet Cover Project Contact Information and Overview Page 1 Introduction – KYCC’s Tree Planting Program Page 2 Project Narrative Page 3

Goals Page 3 Methods Page 3 Expected Results Page 5 Statement of Community Need Page 5 Benefits to the Community Page 6 Community Involvement Page 8 Explanation of Expenses Page 9

Project Description Page 10

Planting Locations, Number and Species, Size of Tree Stock Page 10 Planting / Staking Method Page 11 Source of Technical Expertise Page 11 Short and Long Term Maintenance Plan Page 11

Education or Public Awareness Page 11 Sign Plan Page 12 Itemized Budget Page 12 Detailed Project Timeline Page 12 Attachments

Map 1: Project Area Map Table 1: Project Timeline Attachment 1: Project Budget Attachment 2: KYCC Tree Planting by Council District (1/07-2/09) Attachment 3: Photos of Recent and Representative Events Other Attachments / Required Documents:

• Governing Board/Council Resolution • Environmental Checklist • Project Map (see Map 1) • Pictures of Representative Project Sites (See Attachment 3) • Vendor data record (STD 204) • Certification of Compliance With Applicable Laws • 501(c)3 Proof • “Tree Installation Process” guidelines


Project Contact Information and Overview Name of Organization: Koreatown Youth and Community Center (KYCC) Primary Contact: Dore Burry 1319 West Pico Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90015 213-743-8750 (office) 213-216-4814 (cell) [email protected] Brief Project Description: KYCC's "Targeted Low-Canopy Project Areas in Central and South Los Angeles" will be conducted in our planned "Council District 8 and 9 Central" project area. This canopy-poor project area is bound by Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on the North, Slauson Avenue on the South, the 110 Freeway on the East, and the Los Angeles City boundary (essentially Crenshaw) on the West. This project area is approximately 5 square miles, USFS data indicates that this project area has less than 11% canopy coverage (McPherson, 2007). Partnering with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC), the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Million Trees LA, and several local community groups, KYCC will survey, mark, canvass, and plant 500 street trees in the project area. Of the 500 new street trees, 150 will be in newly created concrete cuts performed by LACC. Trees will only be planted at locations in which KYCC has received signed “Permission to Plant” forms by the property owner or authorized representative. This established and City approved method notifies the property owner that maintenance for the tree(s) is the responsibility of the property owner through the establishment period of approximately 5 years. Grant amount to be awarded, matching funds/in-kind amount, total project amount:

Requested Matched Total Cost $70,690 $99,464 $170,154

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Introduction – KYCC’s Tree Planting Program The Koreatown Youth & Community Center (KYCC) has been planting street trees for fifteen years, greening inner-city communities block-by-block. As one of the five tree planting partners of the City of Los Angeles Million Trees LA Program, KYCC has planted over 4,500 street trees across Central and South Los Angeles since 1/07. For a breakdown of trees planted by Council District through 2/09, see Attachment 2. The overall goals of KYCC’s tree planting program are to repair and increase the tree canopy of Los Angeles, with a specific focus on the Central and South Los Angeles regions/Council Districts. KYCC’s method of tree planting is firmly based on responsible urban forestry and environmental justice principles. KYCC takes a “proactive” approach to tree planting, based on concise project boundaries, contiguous project areas, and equal outreach to all qualifying properties through the creation of our tree vacancy reports. Our methods of equal outreach and education aims to include every constituent in a project area (that is eligible to receive a tree based on City of Los Angeles, Urban Forestry Division specifications). This is an important key to repairing the canopy of Los Angeles, especially Central and South Los Angeles, because typically constituents that do not have trees are “hard-to-reach” due to language barriers, cultural issues, or for reasons relating to being economically disadvantaged. Too often urban greening projects are “reactive”, meaning that the more organized and vocal communities initiate projects and therefore receive an inordinate amount of greening resources. Our method of contiguous project areas and equal outreach minimizes that disparity, by extensively outreaching to every opportunity (vacancy) possible within a defined geographic boundary. This method has proven beneficial for Los Angeles Council District 10 as KYCC surveyed, marked, and canvassed every street (approximately 14 square miles) in Council District 10 and planted approximately 2,800 trees over the last 2.5 years. KYCC’s GTFTGS project proposes, in a similar fashion as above, to continue our work into Council District 8, and a small portion of Council District 9.

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Project Narrative Goals 1) Creation of an up-to-date "vacancy report": KYCC's plantings will occur after creating an up-to-date "vacancy report" for the project area. KYCC will survey and "mark" each street in the project area, identifying every potential tree planting location based on the City of Los Angeles, Urban Forestry Division's (UFD) Tree Spacing Guidelines. An up-to-date vacancy report is vital to ensure that every potential location is afforded the same opportunity to receive a new tree, and not just the most vocal or politically driven locations. 2) Increase of canopy coverage: KYCC's main objective in the project area is to repair the spotty and lacking canopy coverage by planting 500 street trees within the project boundaries. Of the projected 500 trees, KYCC will “create” 150 new tree planting locations by administering concrete cuts of 4x6 or larger when possible, 4x4 minimum when not. The planting 500 trees in this project area, each with an average of 30 square-foot crown spread, will result in more than 350,000 square feet of canopy being created (500 x 3.14 x 15 x 15) when the trees mature. 3) Use of low-VOC trees, and species optimal for increased CO2 sequestration: KYCC will plant, in all possible locations, no or low-VOC trees and with UFD’s assistances, will select species for optimal CO2 sequestration. KYCC, as well as other Million Trees LA partners, are already using a palate of trees (coordinated through the Urban Forestry Division and the Air Quality Management District) that focuses on using no and low-VOC trees.

Methods Vacancy report creation The proposed funding will allow KYCC to perform street-by-street “vacancy reports”. These vacancy reports will identify all possible and available locations for tree installation based on City of Los Angeles, Urban Forestry Division’s Tree Spacing Guidelines. The vacancy report creation begins with KYCC staff using measuring wheels and temporary spray paint to “mark” each potential tree planting location based on UFD guidelines. Data is collected and entered into an already existing and standardized Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, and becomes the backbone to permitting, outreach, and all aspects of our projects. KYCC staff also includes suggested tree species when collecting street data, based on available spacing and the existing composition of trees on each block. KYCC will then work with the Urban Forestry Division (UFD) to guarantee an appropriate species is installed in all locations. Due to KYCC’s rich tree planting experience, KYCC understands the interplay between the different responsibilities of City offices in regards to tree plantings, and has a very good working relationship with the UFD and its inspectors. KYCC coordinates with UFD daily on our many current projects.

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Concurrent to the data collection and vacancy report creation, KYCC will perform door-to-door outreach. Knocking on doors and attempting to speak and educate owners/residents about our tree planting program, the benefits of planting trees, and attempting to gain a “permission-to-plant” is extremely effective – especially on the weekends. For properties that do not respond to door knocking, KYCC will leave a permission-to-plant form with program information in a weather-proof door-hanger. In addition to performing door-to-door canvassing, KYCC will perform direct mailings to all eligible properties. Direct mailing helps offset the non-response rate from canvassing by offering a 3rd outreach approach to contact the hard-to-reach constituents. KYCC obtains individual permission-to-plant agreements to increase property owner stewardship and sense of ownership of the new trees. This method (as opposed to blanket agreements) also ensures the trees are wanted, and decrease the need for maintenance from outside sources. Outreach and administration of concrete cutting will be the same as mentioned above – through individual permission-to-plant agreements. The Los Angeles Conservation Corps, through funding acquired by MTLA and other sources, will be used to create, at a minimum 4x4 cuts, but the goal is to create 4x6 or larger cuts for optimum growth and health of the new street trees. All tree locations will be inspected before and after planting by the appropriate UFD inspector to confirm appropriateness of sites and for quality control. Over 99% of KYCC’s plantings have passed UFD post-inspection. Lastly, all work will be overseen by KYCC’s Tree Planting Program Coordinator, Irma Garcia - Certified Arborist (ISA # WE-8355A). Increased canopy coverage / Use of low-VOC trees / optimal CO2 sequestration All trees will be ordered from the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services Urban Forestry’s “Street Tree Selection Guide” and/or approved AQMD species lists. Ordering trees from nurseries will commence only after conferring with, and getting approval and permits from, the appropriate Urban Forestry Inspector. KYCC will arrange for the purchase of trees at local nurseries as much as possible. The tree material will comply with Cal Fire’s “Standards for Purchasing Container-Grown Landscape Trees. These trees will be inspected and tagged by a Urban Forestry Inspector before they are moved from the nursery. After being tagged, the trees will immediately be transported to sites and planted. Trees that are not planted immediately will be stored at our Environmental Services facility. As mentioned above, the planting of 500 trees in this project area, each with an average of 30 square-foot crown spread, will result in more than 350,000 square feet of canopy being created (500 x 3.14 x 15 x 15) when the trees mature.

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Additionally, increases of canopy coverage through creation of the concrete cuts is vital because “new” planting locations are “created” from otherwise barren/concrete lined streets. On a micro-community level, these plantings will increase canopy cover on some stretches from a current 0% coverage. KYCC, as well as other Million Trees LA partners, are already using a palate of trees (coordinated through the Urban Forestry Division and the Air Quality Management District) that focuses on using no and low-VOC trees. KYCC will also work with UFD to use trees that are high CO2 sequestering trees. At all possible locations, these types of trees will be planted. Expected Results In total, the result of KYCC’s “Low-Canopy Project Areas in Central and South Los Angeles” will be the planting of 500 street trees. The resulting street tree plantings will provide benefits locally in some of the most “green-poor” communities of Los Angeles and provide regional benefits as well. The result will increase the 11% estimated canopy coverage and repair the urban forest composition in the project area. It will be done responsibly, equitably, and focus on using low or no-VOC trees. Additionally, the cutting and removing of concrete will transform approximately 3,000 square feet to new urban forest. Statement of Community Need Council Districts 8 and 9 have some of the lowest canopy coverage percentages across Los Angeles (10.7% and 7.5% respectively). The below table (titled “Table 6) is from the USFS MacPherson canopy coverage assessment (2007/08).

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In fact, Council Districts 8 and 9 are in the top 3 in terms of least canopy coverage across Los Angeles. These statistics are even more impactful when population density is considered – both CD8 and 9 are amongst the most population dense parts of Los Angeles. Benefits to the Community Many benefits to the community have been mentioned above. Other benefits to consider: Emissions Benefits to Project This project will help offset the additional vehicular emissions of carbon dioxide by “greening” these canopy-poor communities. The project area is extremely dense and is bound by the 110 freeway on the East – a major freeway for cars and trucks. Additionally, a new light rail line is being constructed along the nearby Exposition Boulevard, and traffic counts will increase along major corridors as people go to and from the stations. The newly installed street trees will act as natural “air-conditioners” – they will help clean the communities being impacted by the increase of vehicle emissions along the “Expo Line”. The trees will act like filters as their leaves capture particulates such as dust, soot, and pollution from cars, and remove them from the air. For example, a healthy tree removes over 20 lbs. of carbon dioxide each year. The carbon is stored in the tree and the oxygen is released back into the atmosphere. Urban Heat Island Benefits to Project Cities are often up to 8 degrees (Fahrenheit) warmer than rural communities, partially due to the "Urban Heat Island” effect (see below) caused by massive amounts of concrete, steel, and asphalt that absorb and re-radiate the heat into the community. On a regional scale, the 500 street trees planted for this project can help reduce this phenomenon, lower energy consumption (by shading structures in summer), clean the air, provide groundwater recharge, and provide other wide-ranging benefits.

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Previous Experience Benefit to Project KYCC has performed hundreds of cleanups and small tree planting projects over our 30-year history. KYCC is a true community based organization, we operate very closely with our constituents and care deeply about the work we perform. Our Environmental Services Unit has a strong commitment to community beautification and tree planting projects. KYCC has worked on many of such projects and understands issues such as proper tree installation to offer trees the best possible chances of survival, ensuring tree diversity to reduce threat of disease, and selecting the right tree in the right place to promote harmonious growth within our urban context. Living Minimum Wage Benefit to Workforce KYCC hires employees at a “living” minimum wage of $10.96/hour. In addition to our living minimum wage, we cover 100% of the cost of medical insurance for all our employees and dependants. Keeping our standards of employment and benefits package rewarding to our staff produces multiple benefits – to the project, to the community, to the City. At-Risk Youth Benefit The proposed planting will be accomplished through direct employment of 1 local at-risk youth. Involving local at-risk youth and community volunteers in the tree-planting process contributes to the long-term sustainability and appreciation of the urban forest as well as providing jobs, training, and opportunities to underutilized youth. Taking at-risk youth off the street and placing them in good paying jobs is invaluable to our society. In addition to the 1 at-risk youth, the concrete cutting that this project will help generate will be performed by LACC at-risk youth. Urban Equity Benefit to Local Community As mentioned, the project area is comprised of predominantly underserved communities. KYCC’s urban forestry projects address the need to focus on spreading resources and services to all corners of Los Angeles, not just the most vocal and affluent communities. This project is an environmental and social justice benefit to all. Organizational Partnerships Benefit to Project KYCC is happy to join efforts with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps on this project. LACC will perform all sidewalk cuts regarding this project. LACC is known for their at-risk youth training and their ability to transform the built environment from degraded states to much more livable situations.

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The Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC), based in South Central and East Los Angeles, is one of the largest independent non-profit agencies in the nation. Founded in 1986 by former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Mickey Kantor, the LACC employs approximately 300 young adults as Corpsmembers and 2,200 junior high and high school students annually to serve the greater Los Angeles community through environmental enhancement and community improvement projects. LACC is one of the few true CBO’s that are capable of doing professional quality sidewalk cuts. Additionally, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will contribute approximately $22,500 worth of trees and supplies. KYCC has worked with LADWP for over 15 years providing Ultra-low flush toilets, planting trees, and working together on many other projects. Benefits to Local Schools Many Los Angeles Unified School District facilities, are noted on the map below by gray boxes shapes (diamonds, circles, and squares). Almost two dozen LAUSD sites are located within the proposed tree planting zone. These trees will provide shade and protection to children and their families.

Community Involvement / Participation Details KYCC will obtain “Permission to Plant” forms before each tree is planted. At the time of receiving the forms from property owners, KYCC will provide environmental education about the positive aspects of tree planting and will attempt to instill a sense of responsibility and

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stewardship for the maintenance of the newly planted tree(s). KYCC’s method of door-to-door and face-to-face canvassing has been proven to elicit strong commitments to care and maintenance of new tree plantings. From door-to-door canvassing for our tree planting projects, to business outreach for our economic development programs, KYCC performs extensive outreach daily. KYCC’s Environmental Services Unit performs community outreach for tree planting, graffiti removal, and for small to large-scale community clean-ups and events. Many of those efforts involve volunteerism from high school students and other interested segments of the population. KYCC prides itself on being a community-based organization with programs that reach an inter-generational constituency – from young kids to senior citizens. KYCC regularly works with Council District staff, local Neighborhood Councils, schools, homeowners associations, and other organized groups on large-scale tree planting events. KYCC will work closely with Council District 8 and 10 staff, as well as all other interested community groups while planning and planting trees for this project. Please see Attachment 3 for pictures of two recent community planting events. On 3/28/09 we planted 30 15-gallon trees with 60 volunteers from Comerica Bank and on 3/31/09 we planted 51 24-inch box trees at a local middle school with 150 volunteers and 150 students. Explanation of Expenses KYCC is requesting $70,690.84 for the proposed project. Please see Attachment 1 for project budget. Matches Approximately $100,000 worth of supplies and services will be matched by non-Cal Fire sources. KYCC will match the Cal Fire request with $28,964 worth of personnel, direct, and indirect expenses. These expenses will be paid from KYCC’s general tree planting fund. LADWP will be providing approximately $22,500 worth of trees and supplies. This equates to a tree, stake, and tie cost of approximately $45 per tree. The Los Angeles Conservation Corps will be contributing approximately $48,000 worth of services to this project in the form of concrete cutting. Concrete cutting costs $20/square foot, and conservatively assuming all cuts are 4x4, a total expense of $48,000 will be provided to this project at no charge. Lastly, not listed, is direct managerial time of Dore Burry and Irma Garcia due to the difficulty of estimating. Their time will be provided as in-kind through general KYCC funds.

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Planting Locations / Number and Species of Trees / Size of Tree Stock The requested funding will enable KYCC to plant 500 15-gallon trees in our “Council District 8 and 9 Central” project area. The area is bound by Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on the North, the 110 Freeway on the East, Slauson Avenue on the South, and Crenshaw on the West (see project area map below)

The trees, stakes, and ties are generously being donated by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) through their “Trees For A Green Los Angeles” program. Each tree is hand inspected and “tagged” by a City of Los Angeles, Urban Forestry Division inspector before it leaves the nursery. Most of the 500 trees will be 15-gallon size, but in certain conditions, 24-inch box trees will be provided by LADWP, typically on very dense residential and commercial corridors. As mentioned above, all tree species will be approved by UFD, and will be selected from their approved list of street trees, from the AQMD suggested species lists we are currently using (no and low-VOC species) or through suggestions by UFD for high CO2 sequestration.

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Planting / Staking Method KYCC’s tree planting staff has received training from UFD inspectors and follow their leadership in our tree installation method. Urban tree planting projects are complex, and our approach has a little bit of flexibility, depending on the site locations/challenges. Included in the attachments of this proposal is a generic training tool titled “Tree Installation Process” that we use to instruct how to plant and stake properly. Source of Technical Expertise/Advice Nearly all work that is performed is, at many points, checked by City of Los Angeles, Urban Forestry Division inspectors and staff. We coordinate with UFD staff daily and they are an invaluable source of knowledge, expertise, and direction. KYCC’s Environmental Services Unit Manager, Dore Burry, KYCC’s Tree Planting Program Coordinator, Irma Garcia, and KYCC’s Tree Planting Program Crew Chief, Jerry Velasquez, have over 25 years of urban forestry experience. Jerry has overseen the planting of approximately 9,000 street trees, and Irma is a Certified Arborist (ISA # WE-8355A). Short and Long Term Maintenance Plan The “permission-to-plant” forms that property owners sign clearly states that they are required to care for the tree for the first 5 years of establishment. KYCC performs intermittent visits to prior tree planting locations for re-staking and re-tying, but not on regular intervals. For these reasons, KYCC takes special care in performing outreach and education – making sure the trees we plant are wanted and will be cared for. The long term maintenance plan for these trees include being imported and incorporated into the UFD maintenance schedules, typically 3-5 years after planting. Education or Public Awareness Program / Media To Be Used KYCC will provide education about the project by doing door-to-door canvassing, leaving written materials behind for those who are not home (door-hanger), performing direct mailings, attending local community meetings, and through other methods we are currently using. For large community events, KYCC uses press releases to inform the media about our work. Most recently, the Comerica Bank (see Attachment 3 for photos) tree planting event was covered in a Korean newspaper (it was a Koreatown event) – a link to the Korean article is here: http://www.koreatowndaily.com/read.php?id=20090401154820&section=local&type=fdb&ss=2

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KYCC also works with Million Tree LA to have the Mayor kick off larger efforts. Mayor Villaraigosa attend a KYCC tree planting at a school recently – a photo with KYCC’s Irma Garcia is also in attachment 3. This partnership with MTLA is important for large-scale public awareness efforts. KYCC also performs post-planting mailouts to remind constituents to water their trees, typically before the hot Los Angeles summer. For KYCC GTFTGS project, we will work with local Councilmembers, other political entities, newspapers, and other sources to publicize our work. Sign Plan KYCC will work with Cal Fire’s Abigail Srader to design an appropriate “Sign Plan”. It will, at least, meet Cal Fire requirements of quantity, size, wording/content, locations, etc. Itemized Budget Please see Attachment 1 for an itemized project budget. Proposed Timeline

July 2009

August 2009

September 2009

October 2009

November 2009

December 2009

January 2010

February 2010

March 2010

Surveying/Marking X X X X X

Outreach X X X X X X X X X

Obtain permits X X

Well cutting X X X X X

Order Trees X X X X X

Trees Installed 50 100 100 100 100 50

Other Required Documents

• Governing Board Resolution – Attached • Environmental Checklist – Attached • Project Area Map – Attached (and included in narrative) • Pictures of Representative Project Sites – See Attachment 3 • Vendor Data Record – Attached • Certification of Party Responsible for Maintenance – KYCC uses a City of Los Angeles,

Urban Forestry Division approved “Permission to Plant” form (attached) which informs the property owner that he/she is responsible for maintenance during establishment. KYCC performs post-planting maintenance to check tree health and perform restaking and retying, but not on a regular schedule.

• Certification of Compliance With Applicable Laws Form - Attached

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