The Planning Association of Washington recently hosted a boot camp to discuss some of the many nuanced areas of open spaces planning. Hosted by the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe at their beautiful longhouse near Kingston, the event featured speakers on topics such as urban tree canopy, wildlife habitat corridors, and floodplain management. Habitat Biologist Mike Higgins presented regional priorities for the Tribe’s open spaces and discussed their process for setting goals and targets within tribal lands. The event was well-attended and Commerce’s own Jeff Aken helped introduce the urban tree canopy discussion. In partnership with the City of Snoqualmie, Jeff talked about the benefits of urban trees. Phil Bennett, the city’s deputy director of public works, shared how to develop and effective urban forest program. Commerce would like to thank our hosts, the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe and the Planning Association of Washington, for this amazing opportunity for planning education. Special thanks to Joe Price, tribal member and Canoe Family member, for opening the event with a song of salmon in the language of his people.
