This October, the new Tree Equity Collaborative is hosting a professional development workshop in Spokane, WA. This Learning Lab is part of a statewide series and focuses on the theme of partnerships and collaboration. The agenda includes case studies, learning activities, partnership building, and a focused problem-solving session about keeping urban trees alive in downtown Spokane.

Since achieving tree equity requires multidisciplinary coordination, we invite leaders and practitioners across all sectors to attend this event.

The event is free, though advanced registration is required.

Venue
The Finch Arboretum is an expansive 65-acre botanical collection of trees and woody plants located just west of Downtown Spokane. The Woodland Center is an indoor event space located on the arboretum grounds. Admission to the arboretum is free and open to the public.

Directions
From Interstate 90: Take Garden Springs Road (Exit 277); drive north off of the interstate. Turn right at stop sign onto West Sunset Blvd.; head downhill toward downtown Spokane; stay in the right lane. Watch for the brown entry signs; turn right onto ‘F’ street. Drive past the maintenance area on your right; look for Woodland Center of John A. Finch Arboretum.

Parking
Parking is free. There is a free parking lot directly south of the Woodland Center and free street parking along S 'F' Street.

Audience
The Tree Equity Collaborative works with businesses, jurisdictions, agencies, tribes, non-profit organizations, and community members across the state. If you are interested in developing new skills and relationships to increase urban and community tree canopy and/or to scale up existing efforts, you are encouraged to attend. If you are not in the Spokane area or this event fills up, future learning labs will occur across the state.

About the Tree Equity Collaborative
In April 2023, American Forests and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) launched the Washington State Tree Equity Collaborative, the first statewide partnership focused on Tree Equity. The Collaborative aims to expand and fortify neighborhood tree canopy cover by engaging cities, community organizations and stakeholders to build more rigorous and inclusive urban forestry programs across the state.

DNR is using American Forests’ Tree Equity Score tool to prioritize expanding equitable tree cover in the neighborhoods that need it most, as 85% of urbanized neighborhoods in the Evergreen State have inadequate tree cover. Through the partnership, American Forests will expand Tree Equity Score to cover all Washington cities, and DNR will work with jurisdictions, Tribes, nonprofits and other partners to raise all urban census block groups to a score of 75 or higher.

Branching Out Spokane: Pathways to Powerful Partnerships