Which Way, L.A.?

LA’s One Million Trees Campaign, and Santa Monica’s Chainsaw Massacre

Host:

Warren Olney

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Mayor Villaraigosa wants a million new trees in Los Angeles. But in some neighborhoods, residents say lack of maintenance has branches falling off trees that are already there. Meantime, the City of Santa Monica is trying to chop down ficus trees. Tonight we’ll hear about planting, pruning and politics in Southern California’s Urban Forest.

More than a year ago, Mayor Villaraigosa announced his plan for a million new trees in Los Angeles. But nobody knows how many have been planted, where, or what kind they are. Meanwhile there’s a media circus over fifty-four ficus trees in downtown Santa Monica that the City Council has voted to cut down. Activists call it a “Chainsaw Massacre.” A court has issued a restraining order and tomorrow night, activists plan to show up the City Council’s regular meeting.

Guests:

Lynne Bronstein: Reporter for the Santa Monica Mirror
Andy Lipkis: Founder and President of TreePeople
Michele Wytko: Works in the entertainment industry and lives in the La Cienega Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles
Louis Alvarado: Griffith Park Chairperson with the Sierra Club of Southern California

Underwriters

Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.

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