In response to the concerns raised about the Italian poplar in the Orchard Ravine, I share criticisms of city parks policies. They drive around too much, apply high nitrogen fertilizers to ballfields too close to watersheds, and mow too many lawnscapes that could better provide native habitat. But, I do worry our attachments to individual plants could hamstring broader efforts by urban foresters who also care about the health of our city's environment.

We do have to maintain a certain amount of habitat, and the city is setting aside portions of the ravine while restoring others. But, given West Seattle's sandy soil, that poplar could absorb a tremendous amount of irrigation water intended for new plantings, and potentially root sucker and overwhelm rescue efforts. It would be cheaper to nip it in the bud.

Overrun with ivy, blackberry, and clematis, our city's forests are dying. I've heard talk of clear cutting and starting over from scratch, as some evergreens establish better in full sun. Rather than fighting over the last tree, I would exhort all to work with our forestry experts, planting trees, pulling ivy, and volunteering in our greenbelts. More so, let’s pay attention to our own backyards.

We need to reduce our lawns that inflict pesticide and fertilizer-laden runoff on Puget Sound. We need to keep our cats inside (we lose literally millions of birds every year to cats, and birds keep potential insect infestations in check). And we need to stop buying English ivy, holly, laurel and butterfly bush, and ask nurseries for Washington-grown native plants like shore pine, ocean spray, snowberry, and salal.

Tree cover and native plant diversity offers stability to our city’s ecology. New Orleans neglected its native wetlands despite warnings from the environmental community. We cannot afford to neglect our own environment that is in slow-motion crisis. Thanks to all who keep working and talking, even if we disagree, as we figure a way out of our predicament.

Steven Richmond

Puget Ridge