Take a sheet of a different book with ReLeaf Petaluma

Let’s take an imaginary journey to a future Petaluma. What would it look like?

Well, if ReLeaf Petaluma continues to make progress, the city could be considerably shaded and cooler. “Our mission is to plant trees,” the headline read on ReLeaf Petaluma’s webpage.

The organization celebrated its first anniversary in November. It has been a busy year, said Wendy Jacobs of the group. “People are so interested in this issue.

When discussing this month’s topic, Compassion for All, it seemed like there was no better goal than compassion for our planet. We all know what’s going on, so I don’t have to go. I wanted to focus on something we can do – now – to help make positive change, protect what we have and add to it as carefully and quickly as possible.

Petaluma ReLeaf is part of a statewide network of dozens of city and county groups focused on tree planting. The mission of the local group is “to engage the community in planting and managing native trees and shrubs in order to improve the environmental health of the Petaluma watershed.”

The group began as a Nextdoor conversation from which dedicated native plant advocates came together to discuss how to get more native trees in every park, farm, and backyard.

An increased number of native trees and shrubs will attract more birds, butterflies and bees that we used to see everywhere, but which have declined in recent years.

Another plus: It helps fight climate change by planting trees native to California – trees that are good at keeping carbon out of the atmosphere and in the soil. These would be mostly oaks – trees that predated the white settlers and that for millennia were cared for and nurtured by the Coast Miwoks and Southern Pomos, according to author John Sheehy in his and the photographer’s book. Scott Hess, “On a River Winding Home. “

Another group leader, John Shribbs, noted that people have “a psychological need to be surrounded by greenery and mature trees… to connect with nature. Trees are the epitome of the plant world.

Think about it. Remember the last time you stood under a tree and rolled your eyes, perhaps to catch a glimpse of a mockingbird or a carefree blue jay. The feeling of awe that comes from standing in a grove of redwoods. That peaceful feeling of being part of the universe.

This is one of the reasons the band attracts so much positive energy, agreed Jacobs and Shribbs. Other reasons are just as important. Trees are a way to fight climate change, pollution and the loss of biodiversity. And planting more trees is one way to help alleviate those problems, something people can do, Shribbs said, “it’s not too difficult and meets all challenges.”

“Native trees,” Jacobs pointed out, “are the foundation of healthy ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems support abundant life for plants, animals and humans.

An October article in the Petaluma Argus-Courier reported that the nonprofit presented its “Ten Thousand Trees” plan to the city’s Tree Advisory Committee in September. The program allows ReLeaf to work with local authorities and the Department of Parks and Recreation, planting 6,000 native trees in Petaluma parks, schools and near churches, as well as another 4,000 in residential areas of Petaluma. the city, increasing Petaluma’s canopy by 10% and reducing the carbon footprint.

Currently, less than 25 percent of neighborhoods in Petaluma are shaded by trees, according to a 2018 US Department of Agriculture study. In addition, there is the noise, heat and pollution generated by Highway 101. Adding 10,000 trees would bring the city’s canopy rate to between 25 and 35%.

The recent global conference on climate change, said Shribbs and Jacobs, demonstrated that our world leaders and governments have a desire to move forward, but there are limits to what they can accomplish. “We really need to act locally,” they agreed, “to act in our cities and neighborhoods. “

“It’s being able to come out of your house and feel yourself in nature,” said Shribbs.

And Jacobs added, “It’s something almost anyone can do. It allows people to take personal action now and do something that will have a local impact.

Other goals of the program include organizing the planting of trees and shrubs in the neighborhood and collaborating on riparian planting projects to promote the environmental health and stability of the Petaluma watershed.

If you’re as interested as I am, Jacobs said the nonprofit has set up a Planting Palette, which should be available on the website by the time you read this column. It will include recommendations on the most suitable trees, recommendations on where to buy them and how to plant and care for them. To donate, volunteer and / or learn more, visit releafpetaluma.org.