Save 1,000s of LA's Trees with Legal Appeal
Tax deductible
Want to join Angelenos For Trees in making a huge difference in LA's Urban Tree Canopy? A small circle of tree-non-profits and concerned individuals are raising $15,000 for a legal appeal, to stop the City of LA from destroying thousands of trees to repair city sidewalks. The mass destruction will harm every community, from Venice to West Hills, from South LA to Sylmar, from Boyle Heights to Wilshire. We have already raised more than $3,000!
Sidewalks can be repaired without cutting down the trees, and better-run cities nationwide are doing just that! But the City of LA is sticking to its fast, cheap, & old-school approach to concrete repairs --- chop down and rip out all the trees that show any sign of causing sidewalk damage. The City of LA has refused to update its Urban Forest management practices from the 1990s.
If we don't do something about it, Los Angeles will destroy our shade trees! Many neighboring cities have been able to solve the problem between sidewalks and trees. Santa Monica builds sidewalks around the trees; other cities trim overgrown roots down and use permeable pavements that have more give. These are just a few of the solutions to the problem of uneven sidewalks.
As you are aware, we need mature shade trees more than ever. They provide multiple benefits like reducing the Urban Heat Island effect, cleaning the air, capturing storm water and providing much needed shade. These benefits are essential to life, and will take decades for tiny replacement saplings to bestow upon LA’s residents.
The appeal is headed up by the well-known environmental attorneys Sabrina Venskus and Mitchell Tsai, who are extremely committed to the cause of saving trees, and thus giving most of their time “pro bono” and capping their fees at $15,000.00. The discounted fee represents the out of pocket costs of staff and fees associated with filing an appeal. With your help, we can fund this appeal to a lower court ruling, which allowed the trees to be cut down without considering the alternatives or the environmental impact of removing thousands of trees.
The plaintiffs are the United Neighborhoods For Los Angeles. They brought an action against the City, when the City failed to file the appropriate environmental paperwork (an EIR) required by the State to address the cumulative impact of the loss of trees. The City has admitted their negligence.
The lower court judge did not understand the issue and ruled against the plaintiffs. It was a surprise to the UNFLA and they do not have the financial resources to continue. The attorneys representing the plaintiffs feel confident that they will succeed on appeal which is one reason they agreed to a reduced fee.
Without a doubt this money will help save the Urban Tree Canopy in Los Angeles. You will play a material role in helping to save our trees. This is an unusual opportunity where your money could actually stop City Hall from cutting down thousands of trees.
This donation, if made through the Angelenos For Trees fiscal sponsor (Chatsworth Pinnacles Wilderness Project), is tax-deductible.
Angelenos For Trees in turn will put all of the money raised into the legal fund overseen by the lawyers, Sabrina Venskus and Mitchel Tsai.
Thank you so much for your concern and support.
Sidewalks can be repaired without cutting down the trees, and better-run cities nationwide are doing just that! But the City of LA is sticking to its fast, cheap, & old-school approach to concrete repairs --- chop down and rip out all the trees that show any sign of causing sidewalk damage. The City of LA has refused to update its Urban Forest management practices from the 1990s.
If we don't do something about it, Los Angeles will destroy our shade trees! Many neighboring cities have been able to solve the problem between sidewalks and trees. Santa Monica builds sidewalks around the trees; other cities trim overgrown roots down and use permeable pavements that have more give. These are just a few of the solutions to the problem of uneven sidewalks.
As you are aware, we need mature shade trees more than ever. They provide multiple benefits like reducing the Urban Heat Island effect, cleaning the air, capturing storm water and providing much needed shade. These benefits are essential to life, and will take decades for tiny replacement saplings to bestow upon LA’s residents.
The appeal is headed up by the well-known environmental attorneys Sabrina Venskus and Mitchell Tsai, who are extremely committed to the cause of saving trees, and thus giving most of their time “pro bono” and capping their fees at $15,000.00. The discounted fee represents the out of pocket costs of staff and fees associated with filing an appeal. With your help, we can fund this appeal to a lower court ruling, which allowed the trees to be cut down without considering the alternatives or the environmental impact of removing thousands of trees.
The plaintiffs are the United Neighborhoods For Los Angeles. They brought an action against the City, when the City failed to file the appropriate environmental paperwork (an EIR) required by the State to address the cumulative impact of the loss of trees. The City has admitted their negligence.
The lower court judge did not understand the issue and ruled against the plaintiffs. It was a surprise to the UNFLA and they do not have the financial resources to continue. The attorneys representing the plaintiffs feel confident that they will succeed on appeal which is one reason they agreed to a reduced fee.
Without a doubt this money will help save the Urban Tree Canopy in Los Angeles. You will play a material role in helping to save our trees. This is an unusual opportunity where your money could actually stop City Hall from cutting down thousands of trees.
This donation, if made through the Angelenos For Trees fiscal sponsor (Chatsworth Pinnacles Wilderness Project), is tax-deductible.
Angelenos For Trees in turn will put all of the money raised into the legal fund overseen by the lawyers, Sabrina Venskus and Mitchel Tsai.
Thank you so much for your concern and support.
Organizer
Angelenos For Trees
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
Chatsworth Pinnacles Wilderness Project
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
