The purpose of this chapter is to:

(1) Encourage planning for, planting, maintaining, and managing of trees in the state’s cities, counties, and tribal lands and maximize the potential of tree and vegetative cover in improving the quality of the environment;

(2) Encourage the coordination of activities by state, local agency, and federally recognized tribes, and maximize resident participation in the development and implementation of urban and community forestry-related programs, including through capacity building to facilitate participation from new partners;

(3) Foster healthy economic activity for the state’s urban and community forestry-related businesses through cooperative and supportive contracts with the private business sector;

(4) Facilitate the creation of employment opportunities related to urban and community forestry activities, including opportunities for youth, especially in urban areas, to learn teamwork, resource conservation, environmental appreciation, and job skills;

(5) Provide meaningful voluntary opportunities for the state’s residents and organizations interested in urban and community forestry activities;

(6) Contribute to improved human health through targeted delivery of programs and activities in highly impacted communities with greater health disparities;

(7) Contribute to salmon and orca recovery through targeted delivery of programs and activities in regions that include important salmon habitat identified by regional salmon recovery plans.

Findings—Intent—2021 c 209: See note following RCW 76.15.005.