General (08)
Susana Barrios
From: Craig A Durfey
Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2025 10:16 PM
Subject: \[EXTERNAL\] Public comment Where to get free trees in Los Angeles and Orange counties schools/ crime
prevention.
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
0-011-2025
Craig Durfey
PO Box 2001
Garden Grove
CA 92842
Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein
11222 Acacia Parkway
Garden Grove, CA 92840
To Whom it may concern
Dear Mayor Klopfenstein
The City's 40-year Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) acts as a guide for maintaining, enhancing,
and growing an urban forest in Garden Grove.https://ggcity.org/sites/default/files/UFMP-Final-Plan.pdf
36.5 acres of tree canopy in Garden Grove schools, with an average 4.8% canopy cover Administration
important to continue report to council every three months with residents can voice their concern over
lack oversight to progress the benefits what well document below to often the city creates
policy, develop master plans such as active transportation, urban forest, park master plan to tree
memorial. City each year votes on population of maters as mental health ect yet the council is silent to
these issues when the various depts have responsibility to insure full implementation. Then Garden
Grove Unified School District has only 36.5 acres of tree canopy in Garden Grove schools, with an
average 4.8% canopy cover yet the Urban forest plans and council in collaboration below over whelming
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support from publication for children have trees address mental health and improve education to crime
prevention.
Many attempts to address tress planting where a vast areas park way lack trees park way's, so trees don't
get planted such as Ranch High School, Standford/Nutwood front of GGUSD curb with south side as
well.To Orangewood between Gilbert/Magnolia gaps missing trees.
On September 26 2024 my brother passed away the policy has a tree memorial to purchase a tree not
only was ignored by management it had Nick Diep's involvement to then have contact to arrangements
made then the crew was awesome they were very considerate however the administration never call dig
alert then they attempted to plant found irrigation line that is the public right away I received a call about
this issue now we are in 2025 unable to honor my brother tree memorial.
The City council is unaware issue like this but unable to received calls since am disable request my
district council call me and to be able call in.
Orange County’s Urban Forest Grand Jury Report
The Orange County Grand Jury recognized a disparity amongst the urban
forests within the county and disconnect where cities in California do not
place the same importance on maintaining a robust urban forest as they
do other infrastructure. As a result, tree canopy is declining even despite
the benefits trees provide. The 2018–2019 Grand Jury report recognizes
that urban forests benefit residents by improving environmental
conditions, public health, and economic stability of the community, and
they enumerate upon the positive effects of trees in this report. Therefore,
the Grand Jury recommends all communities in Orange County maintain
or develop aggressive urban forest programs.
To further investigate the state of Orange County’s urban forest, the Grand
Jury (1) performed a literature review, (2) sent out requests for data from
each city, and (3) compared the extent of community tree canopy to the
population within each community. They found:
• Many reasons for the decline in tree canopy, and provide considerations
on tree selection, placement, and management to promote increased
longevity of street trees.
• Tree related financial liabilities are minimal, and the benefits of trees are
not quantified or recognized.
• Urban forestry funding varies by city, but many cities in Orange County
have a small in-house crew and contract tree work.
In relation to other cities in Orange County, Garden Grove is a
Several studies have examined the relationship between urban forests and crime rates. Parklike
surroundings increase neighborhood safety by relieving mental fatigue and feelings
of violence and aggression that can occur as an outcome of fatigue (Planning the Urban
Forest: Ecology, Economy, and Community Development, 2009). Research shows that the
greener a building’s surroundings are, the fewer total crimes. This is true for both property
crimes and violent crimes. Landscape vegetation around buildings can mitigate irritability,
inattentiveness, and decreased control over impulses, all of which are well-established
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psychological precursors to violence.
Residents who live near outdoor greenery tend to be more familiar with nearby neighbors,
socialize more with them, and express greater feelings of community and safety than
residents lacking nearby green spaces (Planning the Urban Forest: Ecology, Economy, and
Community Development, 2003). Public housing residents reported 25% fewer domestic
crimes when landscapes and trees were planted near their homes (Kuo, 2001). Two studies
(one in New Haven, CT and the other in Baltimore City and County, MD) found a correlation
between increased tree coverage and decreased crime rates, even after adjusting for a
number of other variables, such as median household income, level of education, and rented
versus owner-occupied housing in the neighborhoods that were studied (Gilstad-Hayden et
al. 2015; Troy et al. 2012).
Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Passed by Congress in 1918, this act defines that it is unlawful to pursue, hunt, take, capture,
kill, possess, sell, purchase, barter, import, export, or transport any migratory bird, or any
part, nest, or egg or any such bird, unless authorized under a permit issued by the Secretary of
the Interior.
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act can impact forestry operations during times when birds are
nesting, which may delay work in order to avoid violating the MBTA.
California Urban Forestry Act
Section 4799.06-4799.12 of the California Public Resources Code defines a chapter known
as the California Urban Forestry Act. The act defines trees as a “vital resource in the urban
environment and as an important psychological link with nature for the urban dweller.” The
act also enumerates the many environmental, energy, economic, and health benefits that
urban forests provide to communities.
The purpose of the act is to promote urban forest resources and minimize the decline of urban
forests in the state of California. To this end, the act facilitates the creation of permanent jobs
related to urban forestry, encourages the coordination of state and local agencies, reduces
or eliminates tree loss (through the reduction/control of pests/disease), and is intended to
prevent the introduction and spread of pests. The act grants the authority to create agencies
and mandates that urban forestry departments shall provide technical assistance to urban
areas across many disciplines (while also recommending numerous funding tools to achieve
these goals).
Land Cover Summary
Tree Canopy by Land Use
Garden Grove encompasses 18 square miles (11,472 acres). Excluding impervious surface
(8,337.9 acres) and open water (11.6 acres), Garden Grove contains approximately 3.5 square
miles (2,215 acres) some of the land could provide potential planting opportunities. The
following characterizes land cover in Garden Grove:
• 907 acres (7.9%) of tree canopy, including trees and shrubs
• 27 acres of tree canopy in parks, an average 16.9% canopy cover
• 36.5 acres of tree canopy in Garden Grove schools, with an average 4.8% canopy cover
• 8,337.9 acres (72.7%) of impervious surface, including roads and structures
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Where to get free trees in Los Angeles and Orange counties
https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2024-09-26/where-to-get-free-trees-in-los-angeles-and-
orange-counties
Many municipalities and utilities around L.A. offer free trees for residents to plant in their yards or they
will add trees to parkways. Here's a list.
How loss of urban trees affects educational outcomes
How loss of urban trees affects educational outcomes
Forest bathing? Discover the health benefits of Southern Utah's n
Forest bathing? Discover the health benefits of Southern Utah's n
Forest bathing? Discover the health
benefits of Southern Utah's n
please click on image.
socialemotionalpaws.com
Tree Ambassador Program
Tree Ambassador Program
Tree Ambassador Program
please click on image.
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Study says kids who group up around trees have fewer emotional is
Study says kids who group up around trees have fewer emotional is
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Study says kids who group up around trees have
fewer emotional is
please click on image.
socialemotionalpaws.com
This specific nature activity can improve students’ mental health
This specific nature activity can improve students’ mental health
This specific nature activity can improve
students’ mental health
please click on image.
socialemotionalpaws.com
Green spaces near homes reduce emotional problems in children
Green spaces near homes reduce emotional problems in children
Green spaces near homes reduce
emotional problems in children
please click on image.
socialemotionalpaws.com
Simply looking at greenery can boost mental health, says new rese
Simply looking at greenery can boost mental health, says new rese
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Simply looking at greenery can boost
mental health, says new rese
please click on image.
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All Posts
L.A. needs 90,000 trees to battle extreme heat. Will residents st
L.A. needs 90,000 trees to battle extreme heat. Will residents st
L.A. needs 90,000 trees to battle
extreme heat. Will residents st
please click on image
socialemotionalpaws.com
POORER COMMUNITIES OF COLOR HAVE FEWER TREES TO OFFER SHADE AND C
POORER COMMUNITIES OF COLOR HAVE FEWER TREES TO OFFER SHADE AND C
POORER COMMUNITIES OF COLOR
HAVE FEWER TREES TO OFFER SHADE
AND C
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Schools start hatching plans to become heat-resilient
Schools start hatching plans to become heat-resilient
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Schools start hatching plans to become
heat-resilient
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE.
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County of Santa Clara Partners with Office of Education to Plant
County of Santa Clara Partners with Office of Education to Plant
County of Santa Clara Partners with
Office of Education to Plant
please click on image.
socialemotionalpaws.com
Ecotherapy, also known as nature therapy or green therapy
Ecotherapy, also known as nature therapy or green therapy
Ecotherapy, also known as nature
therapy or green therapy
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE.
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All Posts
SB-499 School facilities: School Extreme Heat Action Plan Act of
SB-499 School facilities: School Extreme Heat Action Plan Act of
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SB-499 School facilities: School Extreme
Heat Action Plan Act of
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE.
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AB 1535, Nunez. School instructional gardens: pupil nutrition
AB 1535, Nunez. School instructional gardens: pupil nutrition.
AB 1535, Nunez. School instructional
gardens: pupil nutrition.
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE.
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California Lawmakers Advance Bill to Cool Down Outside Areas at S
California Lawmakers Advance Bill to Cool Down Outside Areas at S
All Posts
More Green, Less Crime: Rehabilitating Vacant Lots Improves Urban
More Green, Less Crime: Rehabilitating Vacant Lots Improves Urban
More Green, Less Crime: Rehabilitating Vacant Lots
Improves Urban
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE
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Green Schoolyards America
Green Schoolyards America
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Green Schoolyards America
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE.
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Greening for academic achievement: Prioritizing what to plant and
Greening for academic achievement: Prioritizing what to plant and
Greening for academic achievement:
Prioritizing what to plant and
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE.
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All Posts
Learning about Trees in Schools
Learning about Trees in Schools
Learning about Trees in Schools
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE.
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All Posts
Why trees in schoolyards?
Why trees in schoolyards?
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Why trees in schoolyards?
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE.
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Arbor Day fosters environmental education in children and target
Arbor Day fosters environmental education in children and target
Arbor Day fosters environmental
education in children and target
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE.
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Trees are a vital resource in the urban environment and as an im
Trees are a vital resource in the urban environment and as an im
Trees are a vital resource in the urban
environment and as an im
please click on image.
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The Impact of Schoolyard Greening on Children’s Physical Activity
The Impact of Schoolyard Greening on Children’s Physical Activity
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The Impact of Schoolyard Greening on
Children’s Physical Activity
please click on image.
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California’s green schoolyards—and children!unprecedented investm
California’s green schoolyards—and children!unprecedented investm
California’s green schoolyards—and
children!unprecedented investm
please click on image.
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Impact of views to school landscapes on recovery from stress and
Impact of views to school landscapes on recovery from stress and
Impact of views to school landscapes on
recovery from stress and
please click on image.
socialemotionalpaws.com
An Orange teacher’s effort to teach about the environment is stil
An Orange teacher’s effort to teach about the environment is stil
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An Orange teacher’s effort to teach
about the environment is stil
please click on image.
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Should Every School Have a Year-Round Gardening Program?
Should Every School Have a Year-Round Gardening Program?
Should Every School Have a Year-
Round Gardening Program?
Please click on image.
socialemotionalpaws.com
Simply looking at greenery can boost mental health, says new rese
Simply looking at greenery can boost mental health, says new rese
Simply looking at greenery can boost
mental health, says new rese
please click on image.
socialemotionalpaws.com
Impact of views to school landscapes on recovery from stress and
Impact of views to school landscapes on recovery from stress and
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Impact of views to school landscapes on
recovery from stress and
please click on image.
socialemotionalpaws.com
What Is Nature Therapy? Nature therapy, also called ecotherapy.
What Is Nature Therapy? Nature therapy, also called ecotherapy.
What Is Nature Therapy? Nature therapy, also called
ecotherapy.
cope and past to view site
https://www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalNatureCenter/
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Trees improve children’s mental health
Trees improve children’s mental health
Trees improve children’s mental health
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE.
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Residential green space in childhood is associated with lower ris
Residential green space in childhood is associated with lower ris
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Residential green space in childhood is
associated with lower ris
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE
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STUDY EXAMINES HOW GREEN SPACE CAN REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME
STUDY EXAMINES HOW GREEN SPACE CAN REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME
STUDY EXAMINES HOW GREEN SPACE
CAN REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME
PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE
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Greener Childhood Associated With Happier Adulthood
Greener Childhood Associated With Happier Adulthood
Greener Childhood Associated With
Happier Adulthood
please click on image
socialemotionalpaws.com
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How loss of urban trees affects educational
outcomes
please click on image.
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Thank You
Craig Durfey
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