Six years ago, the Pasadena City Council unanimously adopted the Climate Action Plan (CAP), but these two policies were never implemented for the Avenue 64 Streets Complete Project and past projects:

“...ensure that native species are utilized where feasible.” 

“Plant shade trees to reduce Urban Island Heat Effect.”

Join us in urging the Pasadena City Council to instruct Public Works and all other City departments to implement CAP for the Avenue 64 Streets Project and future city projects.

· Pass along the petition to our fellow environmentalists. 

We, the undersigned, as Pasadena residents, strongly urge the Pasadena City Council to instruct Public Works to implement the Climate Action Plan that was unanimously adopted six years ago in respect to the Avenue 64 Complete Streets Project, specifically to: 

1. Plant all native species indigenous to the Avenue 64 / Burleigh roundabout location currently under construction in accordance with the CAP. 

2. Increase native tree species that form large canopies over streets to mitigate the Urban Heat Island Effect, specifically Avenue 64 / Burleigh and Avenue 64 / Cheviotdale in accordance with the CAP. Planting three Coast Live Oaks Quercus agrifolia next to the same species on the west hillside is redundant and overcrowds the existing oaks. Planting three trees for a $3.8 million dollar project is not enough at the roundabout when there are no existing street trees to provide cooler and greener streets.

3. Utilize native species for all future city projects in accordance with the CAP. 

Public Works' position is that it’s no longer 'feasible' to exclusively use native plants for the Avenue 64 / Burleigh roundabout because any changes will result in delays, which the residents will not accept, is not keeping with the letter and spirit of the Pasadena Climate Action Plan or the facts. The CAP states that native plants are utilized where feasible, not when feasible. “Where feasible” is meant for instances such as insufficient sunlight or no space for a plant, not because Public Works did not think it was important or ran out of time. It’s crucial to note that Public Works has had years to design an effective plan. They were explicitly reminded two years ago in conversations and documented emails that an all-native plant palette aligns with the CAP.

Why Native Species Matter

Native plants are the ecological basis upon which life depends on. Without them and the insects that co-evolved with them, local birds cannot survive. Most native plants are easy to care for, drought-tolerant, thrive in nutrient poor soil, not to be fertilized, and green year-round. Once established, most natives prefer water in the fall and winter during Pasadena's rainy season and little to no water in the spring and summer. 

“…planting insect-proof exotic [non-native] plants is like serving up plastic food. No insects? No birds…native oaks support more than 550 different species of butterflies and moths alone. The non-native ginkgo tree supports just 5. Caterpillars are the go-to food source for migrant and resident birds alike. In the 16 days between hatching and fledging, chicks can down more than 9,000 of them.” Audubon.org

“1 in 4 birds from Canada and the continental U.S. has disappeared within the last 50 years.” Cornell University

A native (indigenous) species is one that occurs in a particular region, ecosystem, and habitat without direct or indirect human actions. Species native to North America are generally recognized as those occurring on the continent prior to European settlement. Source: fs.usda.gov