For Immediate Release	Contact:	Kevin Smith
June 14, 2003		619-236-6616

Councilmember Frye Plants 44 Trees in Clairemont

Trees will be planted by community volunteers

San Diego, CA- Councilmember Donna Frye will oversee the planting of 44 trees in the Clairemont area beginning at 8:30am on June 14. The planting, in conjunction with the City of San Diego Streets Division and People For Trees, will provide the Clairemont area with 44 fifteen gallon Bradford Pear and Purple Leaf Plum trees on Leher Street and Conrad Street, which will be planted by community volunteers with assistance from People For Trees.

"It is vital that we continue to plant trees throughout our communities and neighborhoods," commented Councilmember Frye. "By continuing to plant trees throughout the district, we not only beautify the community, but also help to abate the problem of urban heat islands and assist in the prevention of unnecessary runoff. Planting trees along public streets has even been proven to slow the speed of traffic passing through the neighborhood, thus contributing to the safety of our community."

The tree planting is part of the City of San Diego Community Forest Initiative. The goal of the program is to create a living community forest throughout San Diego. "The aspect of this program that makes it such a wonderful success is the participation by friends and neighbors who are concerned about their community," said Frye. "It really helps to create a sense of community involvement throughout San Diego." The program calls for 5,000 trees to be planted each year for 20 years throughout San Diego, culminating in the planting of 100,000 trees.

Councilmember Frye has been a vocal advocate of beautifying our neighborhoods by creating an urban forest. She has been active in the effort to plant trees in District Six by targeting Ashford Street and Lindbergh Park in Clairemont, Mission Village Drive in Serra Mesa and Morena Boulevard in the Linda Vista/Clairemont area for sizeable plantings.

People For Trees is a community-based group adhering to a philosophy of public betterment and environmental awareness. Through community plantings, stewardship, and education, People For Trees works to create a greener, cooler, more harmonious environment for the benefit of all and healthy urban forests, now and for future generations. To get involved in San Diego's Community Forestry Initiative, please call 619-236-TREE (8733) or send an email to communityforestry@sandiego.gov

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