January 2024 Update on the Forty by Forty tree planting project

Please click on the link below to review the full report. Thank you for your consideration and participation in this ongoing neighborhood project.

The Fairhaven Neighbors Urban Tree Canopy and Biodiversity Analysis and Report

Fall 2023 NEWS

Fairhaven Neighbors’ Urban Canopy Project: FORTY BY FORTY [40% by ‘40]

Plant Street Trees in the Fairhaven Residential Neighborhood!

Our goals:

• Increase the street tree canopy in the residential area to 40% by 2040

• Encourage the planting of tree and shrub species that accomplish one or more of the following:

• Protect Padden Creek & other vital water resources by reducing stormwater runoff

• Promote carbon sequestration – removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storage in solid or liquid form

• Produce healthier, more erosion-resistant, fertile soils (by planting ‘nitrogen fixers’)

• Provide a nurturing habitat for pollinators

Forty by Forty volunteers and a professional landscape planner/consultant will assist residents on the proper selection, planting, and maintenance of trees, and will provide supplies to care for, stake and water your new tree. Trees may be planted in private yards (with homeowner approval) and in city street right-of-ways (with permit):

• Free consultation on tree selection (and delivery of a beautiful free tree!)

• City of Bellingham Street Tree permit assistance (for trees planted in the right-of-way)

• Planting assistance - Free tree stakes, ties, compost

• Water bags for the dry months

Tree Delivery & Planting: 1Q 2023

To volunteer or to learn about planting on your property, contact Bill Liddicoet:

wtlidd@gmail.com                     404-909-3431

Please provide your address and contact information. If renting, please provide contact information for property owner and/or manager. City of Bellingham Street Tree permit applications must be approved/signed by property owners.

 This is a multi-year project; the first year is funded by a Small & Simple Grant from the City of Bellingham.  

Examples of trees you can plant:

*  Ash (Fraxinus species) 

*  Beech (Fagus species) 

*  Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)

*  Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens)

*  Linden (Tilia species) 

*  Maples (Acer species) 

 *  Oaks (Quercus species) 

* Parrotia (Parrotia cultivars – narrow) 

*  Plane Tree (Platanus species) 

*  Serviceberry (Amelanchier species) 

*  Sourwood (Oxydendrun arboreum) 

*  Zelkova species 

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December 14, 2022

STREET SIGN UPDATE. Thank you for neighbors for providing feedback on the Fairhaven street sign designs. Most commentary was favorable for both designs. Design A, which features an orange sunset and flying heron, was preferred by the majority of those who submitted their opinion via Facebook or email. All of your comments were heard and considered and we appreciate you taking the time to contribute to the discussion. The FN board voted 6-3 in favor of Design A. This was also the preferred design of the City’s arts commission (who approved two of three designs submitted), and the favorite of Shew Design, the designer which created three design options.

Jennifer and committee will take the next steps needed to create neighborhood signs utilizing the City of Bellingham’s Small and Simple Grant program. Up to eight of these metal signs will be posted on existing utility poles throughout Fairhaven, as approved and installed by the City.

Many thanks to our neighborhood sign committee: Jennifer Dolese (chair), Paul Schissler, Heidi Vogel and Russ Crandall.