One, two, three, let's plant some trees!

| By DES Communications

Celebrating urban forestry "here in the heart of Washington, our state capitol," Gov. Jay Inslee led the planting of 14 trees yesterday.

Gov. Jay Inslee, First Spouse Trudi Inslee, and DES employee Michelle Shepler engaged in planting a mimosa tree on the Capitol Campus.
Gov. Jay Inslee, First Spouse Trudi Inslee, and DES employee Michelle Shepler engaged in planting a mimosa tree on the Capitol Campus.

Joined by First Spouse Trudi Inslee, community-based tree stewards, and staff with the state departments of Natural Resources and Enterprise Services, participants settled the young trees into their new homes on the edge of the lawn east of Capitol Way.

Each of these trees should grow comfortably in the maritime Pacific Northwest climate. All of them are the first of their kind on the Capitol Campus, which is an internationally accredited arboretum. In response to climate change, the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) is promoting habitat resilience by planting a greater range of tree types on the campus' 403 acres. DES estimates that the campus now hosts 105 different types of trees.

DES is grateful to the Governor and First Spouse for joining us in setting down roots today. We take seriously the task of tending them for years to come, so that the shade of these trees one day mingles with that of the moon tree, right across the street — offering beauty, sequestering carbon, providing shade and wildlife habitat, and promoting our mutual well-being.

Read about the Capitol's moon trees.

Gov. Jay Inslee, First Spouse Trudi Inslee, community volunteers, and state employees posing with shovels on a lawn on Capitol Campus.
Gov. Jay Inslee, First Spouse Trudi Inslee, community volunteers, and staff with the departments of Natural Resources and Enterprise Services celebrated Urban & Community Forestry Month by helping 14 new trees set down roots on the Capitol’s East Lawn.