In the latest study conducted by USC researchers to explore how to grow an urban forest in Los Angeles, community leaders in South Los Angeles underscored the lack of tree shade in their neighborhood compared to other parts of the city and expressed hope that city leaders will address this imbalance.
Compared to L.A.’s average of 21% tree canopy coverage, South L.A. communities average roughly 13% – with some areas falling as low as 5%.
“As climate change intensifies, tree shade will become an increasingly important way to stay cool and avoid the worst effects of intense heat,” said Santina Contreras, an Assistant Professor at the USC Price School of Public Policy and the study’s Principal Investigator. “While these facts have been well understood, the voices of vulnerable communities have frequently been left out of the conversation on these issues.”
Contreras said the study identifies key issues and recommendations for future improvement from the perspective of South L.A. residents. “The findings contribute to efforts to create a robust urban forest in South L.A. in a way that protects and benefits the entire community,” Contreras said.
The study was part of the USC Dornsife Public Exchange’s Urban Trees Initiative. Launched in 2020, the initiative has connected faculty, staff and student researchers with community members and decision makers to advance climate-resilient urban forestry practices and the equitable distribution of green spaces. In this latest study, Public Exchange partnered with the South LA Tree Coalition (SLATC), which advocates for a more robust urban forest.
“This latest project with SLATC represents a new chapter in our USC Urban Trees Initiative, providing new insights into community members’ diverse perspectives of trees and enabling us to prioritize future research that addresses their needs,” said Monica Dean, Public Exchange’s Climate and Sustainability Practice Director.
Key findings from the report include:
- Trees in South L.A. play a role in community leaders’ perceptions of neighborhood identity, environmental conditions, as well as public health and safety;
- Competing priorities, limited resources, and lack of awareness present barriers to tree-related planning efforts in the community; and
- Community leaders value healthy tree canopy in South L.A. and envision a future with equitable and intentional greenery supported by community initiatives and proper maintenance.
“We hope the study’s findings ignite community-led tree planting efforts and lead to a thriving, more equitable urban canopy across Los Angeles,” said Theresa Maysonet, Co-Founder, South LA Tree Coalition.
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Find Out MoreThe research team conducted interviews with community leaders to explore perspectives, needs, and challenges around urban forestry in South L.A. The findings aim to inform advocacy efforts and increase representation of the area’s diverse communities in tree-related policy and decision-making processes.
The study’s sample audience focused on community leaders due to their extensive knowledge of broader community needs and interests across South L.A. communities. For the purpose of this study, Service Planning Area (SPA) 6, as defined by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, was used as the bounds for South Los Angeles, which includes the neighborhoods of Athens, Compton, Crenshaw, Florence, Hyde Park, Lynwood, Paramount, and Watts.
The report, titled “Rooted Connections: Understanding South Los Angeles Community Leaders’ Relationship to the Urban Forest,” is available for download on the Public Exchange website.
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