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March 9, 2009
Xeriscape Conference Part 3
In addition to speakers who provided the history of water as a resource, problems with its use over time, and ways to conserve, the conference had several people with inspirational personal histories and stories.
The first of those was Andy Lipkis from Tree People. Andy is a visionary leader who began planting trees to rehabilitate smog and fire damaged land around LA when he was 15 years old. He founded "Tree People" at the age of 18, in 1973, and continues to serve as its President. Their work in LA inspires people to take responsibility for the urban forest. They educate, train, and support residents in planting and caring for trees that improve their own neighborhoods. The average life of an urban tree is 7 years and Andy and tree people have extended that considerably especially in some of the more challenging neighborhoods. Andy has spearheaded the use of Functioning Community Forests to engage people in restoring the forest's natural ecosystem functions urban land by planting and caring for trees and using tree-mimicking techlologies to capture, clean, and store rainwater and recycle greenwaste. Their work has also offered critical protection against droughts and floods, reduced carbon emissions, water and air pollution, prevented diseases such as skin cancer and asthma, and provided sustainable jobs. He has received many national and global awards for his work.
His talk focused on ways for cities to help save the watershed. LA was used as an example. It is a city that years ago created the LA River, which is one of the largest concrete ditches built to resolve flooding problems. All that water is dumped into the ocean and LA pumps water from hundreds of miles away to provide for its residents. He recently took his ideas to Washington to share with the Obama administration. He would incorporate the elements of the forest in a watershed plan in several ways. Building parking groves instead of parking lots so that leafy tree canopies filter pollutants and cool the air. Reclaim paved expanses with permeable surfaces and California-friendly planted landscapes that allow us to collect rainwater more easily. Using basic technology, such as cisterns under public parks and parking lots - even in backyards - to mimic a tree's ability to collect and hold rainwater. In the meantime, this investment in smart green infrastructure also means thousands of long-term jobs as people are needed to create and manage these systems.
His talk illustrated how one person with one focus - trees - can make a tremendous difference in so many ways. He has made a difference already in watershed issues in Californa by focusing on education (particularly the younger generation), community action, ecosystems management, shareholder guidance and a vision for change. In October of 2008 the Tree People opened a demonstration center in LA. Check out the LA times on Oct. 3 for an article about it. Watch for more from him at www.treepeople.org. Again an inspiring talk.
Next week I will review Paul Stament who's focus was on mushrooms and how they can help save the planet.
Loni Shapiro
Posted by maxmaddy at March 9, 2009 6:03 AM