The City of Bellevue, alongside 300 Trees and e-commerce giant Amazon, has once again nurtured the city's green infrastructure by doling out over 700 trees free of charge to its residents and community groups. The generous giveaway forms part of an ongoing effort that has seen more than 3,200 trees planted across the city to date, providing residents with the means to both beautify and bolster their neighborhoods against environmental challenges, as reported by the City of Bellevue.
With a commitment to address the urban heat island effect and stormwater runoff, Bellevue has strategically increased its tree coverage, achieving a notable 40% canopy coverage by 2021. However, distributed unevenly across the city, the canopy coverage has varied vastly, prompting the employment of Tree Equity Scores to ensure trees are placed where they're most needed. Each qualifying applicant this year received up to two trees, with community organizations awarded as many as 20, along with essential planting materials and guidance.
The environmental benefits of these city-sponsored trees are multi-faceted. They not only sequester greenhouse gases and purify the air but also form a natural bulwark against the summer's scorching heat by providing much-needed shade. This year's program also included complementary watering bags and mulch, aiding the young saplings in taking root in their new homes throughout Bellevue.
