A triumph for trees! The Cool Communities Shade Tree (CCST) Program greatly exceeded its goal of planting 14,000 trees during the three years ending December 31st of 2008. More than 10,000 residents were trained in our classes since the CCST began in 2002. At the program’s end, huge demand outpaced the available staff resources and program funding, impeding CCSE’s ability to accommodate all those interested in receiving trees.
The Program's legacy will be a long-lasting group of measurable benefits for our region’s economy and environment. As far as the direct energy benefits, the program provided 17,398 shade trees since 2006, which will result in an electric demand reduction of 2,957.66 kW and a total energy savings of 2,714,088 kWh per year on average over the next 20 years. Since its inception in 2002, CCST has provided hands-on education and more than 35,000 trees to thousands of residents in San Diego County. Trees improve our quality of life in other very concrete ways, including water conservation and runoff control; erosion control; ecosystem benefits such as wildlife habitat preservation; sequestration of a variety of air pollutants; and tremendous aesthetic value. Ample evidence links tree-lined communities to improved public health, reduced crime rates and a reduction in atmospheric carbon emissions.
Customer feedback consistently indicates that our training classes are as valuable as our free trees. “The educational component ensures that our trees start with healthy planting techniques, a goal to put the ‘right tree, in the right place’ and less chance that the trees will end up poorly pruned or topped,” said Arborist and CCST Associate Program Manager, Robin Rivet. “Our training method helps promote a longer and healthier lifespan, and this alone becomes a vital reason to continue publicly supported urban tree plantings. There is a tremendous need to reverse net tree loss in our cities.”
As we write the final reports for the CCST program, we are searching for funding for a similar tree planting program, since evidence shows trees are essential to infrastructure and a truly sustainable urban environment. The tremendous success of the CCST attests to an ongoing need for this energy saving, environmentally beneficial program.
For more information about the shade tree program visit CCSE past programs.
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