The City of Tukwila, located in south King County, is home to approximately 23,000 people with around 46% of the population speaking a language other than English at home. The City offers valuable industrial, transportation, and commercial services benefiting the Puget Sound region at the cost of increased pollution and impervious surfaces. Key climate concerns include riparian flooding, extreme heat, and poor air quality during wildfires.

Growing Tukwila’s urban forestry and climate preparedness efforts is a major focus. Tree canopy provides life-saving cooling of impervious surfaces, both of which are unevenly distributed across the City. Tree canopy also reduces storm water runoff by intercepting and slowing rain before it hits pollution-generating surfaces on its route into sensitive wetlands, streams, and the Green/Duwamish River. Reducing storm water impacts also reduces flood and landslide risks while lowering demand on costly City storm water infrastructure.

By elevating the conversation around tree canopy in the City broadly, and by specifically cultivating a City population educated about the value of trees, Tukwila will have a stronger urban tree canopy which will improve climate resilience in the face of climate-induced risks. As part of this work, Tukwila has developed green partnerships, hosted tree resources and programs for residents, committed to tree canopy goals in its comprehensive plan, and is currently working on updating their tree codes and ordinances.