City aims to rejuvenate its "green canopy"

[Kerry]

I still don't see what value there is determining what use to be in OKC 50, 60 or 100 years ago. The important question is what can be done today. Heck, there could have been a giant redwood forest at Villa and I-40 but that doesn't mean it is going back there. Now if they want to determine species and locations as part of some urban reforesting then fine, just say that is what you are studying.

It sounds to me that they already have a good idea about what they want to do and now they are just searching for the "science" to back up their plans. Like I said, if they find out we have more forest are they going to allow "significant" trees to be removed or encourage clear cutting? No. Most likely they will proceed with tree protection ordinances anyhow. That is fine with me, I just wish they would spend the $10,000 developing their forest plan.

[HOT ROD]

I have to agree with Kerry on this one, but also with Fritter.

It does seem to be a waste to do a study on whether OKC has the tree canopy it did 100 years ago. However, it is nice to do a study to determine how to make OKC's canopy better than it is. Perhaps that is what the paper really meant to say, but the naivity of the author came through making the article appear petty and worthless (in Kerry's eyes apparently).

But I do think FritterGirl is correct, it seems much more appropriate to do a study on how to expand the urban forest and make the city more beautiful and environmentally stable. There are immediate direct benefits to canopy cover (can you say improved air and cooler climate/control.... not to mention a more pleasant looking city...)

And while I do agree with Kerry that they should just do some tree plantin' for heaven's sake, but we also want to select the appropriate varieties based on which part of the city we're at. I'd hope that this 'study' will go further than JUST documentation but instead turns into zoning laws for developers and residents. We need to make the city more beautiful recognizing the habitat we have (which is NOT barron and dusty like many Seattle compatriats like to think - OKC is NOT Omaha or Dodge City).

OKC needs to do a much better job at promoting itself to the world, and with the NBA coming - OKC needs to step up to the plate QUICKLY so that first impressions will be POSITIVE (and lasting). That will get the word out and then OKC can dust off it's inaccurate yet pervasive reputation.