LADWP Tree Program Partners with Symphony In The Glen and Department of Recreation and Parks to Plant 11,000th Tree and Reforest Historic Old Zoo Area in Griffith Park.

News Editors/City Desks

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2003

Spring Season Creates Great Opportunity for Residents to

Participate in Trees for a Green LA

With today's reforestation of Griffith Park's historic Old Zoo Picnic Area, home to The Symphony In The Glen, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's (LADWP) Trees for a Green LA program partnered with a host of community and City departments to mark a major milestone, reaching 11,000 trees planted throughout the city at private residences and in public spaces.

Now that the spring planting season is here, LADWP and other city officials today also encouraged residents who have not yet participated in Trees for a Green LA to take part and reap the benefits that shade trees offer. Under the program, LADWP residential customers who attend a two-hour orientation workshop can receive up to seven free 5-gallon shade trees that, once mature, can reduce home electricity use and costs by up to 20 percent. Workshops take place regularly throughout the city, with the schedule posted at www.GreenLA.com.

"Through both its residential and public/community planting elements, Trees for a Green LA offers tremendous benefits to our city residents and businesses by providing energy-saving shade, improving our environment and beautifying our communities," said Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge.

"Looking at the beautiful new trees in Griffith Park, and knowing residents who have participated in Trees for a Green LA, I can say that this program clearly demonstrates our city government's commitment to creating partnerships that enhance life in Los Angeles," LaBonge added.

Lillian Kawasaki, LADWP assistant general manager of environmental affairs and economic development, said that an independent analysis of Trees for a Green LA -- which is designed to add tens of thousands of shade trees to Los Angeles' urban forest -- shows that each tree planted will save an average of 81 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. That is enough energy to keep a typical television on 24 hours a day for almost 17 days. Trees also improve air quality, lessen greenhouse gas emissions and reduce storm water runoff.

"This U.S. Department of Agriculture analysis indicates that trees are a very cost-effective expenditure. For every dollar spent on Trees for a Green LA, approximately $17.50 will be returned as avoided costs for energy supply, air pollution control, jobs for at-risk youth and other benefits," said Angelina Galiteva, LADWP director of Green LA.

The Symphony In The Glen Reforestation

The planting of 30 new trees in The Symphony In The Glen area highlights the Trees for a Green LA public/community planting component, plus the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks' park reforestation efforts in the city. Last year, city officials had to remove several thousand mature trees from neighborhood parks, including 20 in The Symphony In The Glen area, due to insect infestation. The new trees planted today include 12 48-inch-box-sized California Sycamores and Deodar Cedars, plus 18 other 15-gallon-sized trees.

"The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks' partnership with LADWP on park reforestation efforts in the city will ensure that we can maintain an attractive, safe and beneficial urban forest of more than a million trees," said Manuel Mollinedo, Department of Recreation and Parks general manager.

Funding for the delivery and installation of the trees was made possible by a grant from The Ahmanson Foundation to The Symphony In The Glen organization. LADWP funded the cost of the trees. Valley Crest Tree Company and the Los Angeles Conservation Corps helped with the plantings.

In addition to LaBonge, Galiteva and Mollinedo, participants in the planting and dedication of the trees included The Symphony In The Glen Founder and President Arthur Rubinstein; Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC) Executive Director Bruce Saito; Charley Mims, president of the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council; and students from 20th Street Elementary School.

"As The Symphony In The Glen enters its 10th anniversary season, we are thrilled to see the planting of these new trees to offer shade and beauty during our outdoor summer concerts," said Rubinstein. "These trees will enhance our ability to present our free classical musical concerts in an atmosphere welcoming to all, including families and their children, in our wonderful city."

Trees for a Green LA Residential Workshops

Each month, 30 to 45 free residential workshops are sponsored in parks, libraries, schools and other sites throughout the city.

Trees for a Green LA is open to all LADWP residential customers, although renters must receive prior approval from their property owners to participate. At the workshops, residents learn about proper tree planning, planting and protecting techniques, and also draft a site-specific plan based on their own residence.

Program representatives deliver the trees to participating residents about two weeks after the tree order is submitted to LADWP. Residents plant and care for the trees.

To attend a workshop, advance registration is requested, with slots filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-in participation is welcome if space permits.

To register, residents should phone 1-800-Green LA (1-800-473-3652). The workshop schedule is available on www.GreenLA.com.

LADWP is implementing Trees for a Green LA with the support of the Los Angeles Conservation Corps and several local community-based organizations. Los Angeles' Department of Public Works and Environmental Affairs Departments provide partnership assistance on community planting projects.

Green LA and LADWP

Trees for a Green LA is part of the LADWP Green LA Program that also includes Solar Power, Green Power, Energy Efficiency, Cool Schools Tree Planting, Reading for a Green LA, Electric Transportation and Recycling initiatives. For more information on all of LADWP's Green LA programs, residents should visit www.GreenLA.com or call 1-800-GreenLA (1-800-473-3652). The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power provides water and electricity to the 3.8 million residents and businesses of the city in a 465-square-mile area.