Urban Forest Lecture Series

Featuring Ed Dominguez

As seasons grow hotter and climate impacts become more visible, understanding the role of urban tree canopy is more important than ever. Here in South Seattle, the reduced access to shade stands in contrast to other areas of the city, leaving local residents especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Ed Dominguez is a passionate Seattle-based naturalist, renowned bird expert, local educator, trusted voice in conservation, and former member of our Audubon staff. His research on trees and his understanding of the effects of climate change highlight the importance of urban tree canopy. Ed also understands the issues and politics that have brought us to our current situation and shows us how we can all play a part in creating cooler, healthier, and more resilient communities.

Seward Park Audubon Center is excited to team up with our beloved partner in conservation for a three-part series of presentations designed to educate, inform, and rally our friends and neighbors to take action on this critical issue of trees and climate. Each of these free public events will take place at the Rainer Art Center in Columbia City, or you can participate live on the Seward Park Audubon YouTube channel.

Funding for this project provided by the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program in partnership with State of Washington Department of Natural Resources, Urban and Community Forestry Program.

Part 1: Saving Trees and Protecting Urban Forests

Thursday, July 16
6PM - 7PM
Rainier Arts Center
3515 S Alaska St, Seattle, WA 98118

Seattle’s urban forests are facing mounting pressures, from development and extreme heat to changing policy and limited protections. As climate change accelerates, the need to preserve, restore, and expand our tree canopy has never been more urgent.

In this first program, Ed Dominguez takes a closer look at the challenges trees face in our urban environment and the critical actions needed to protect them. With his deep knowledge of local ecosystems and conservation policy, Ed explores the forces behind tree loss in South Seattle and across the city, while offering practical insight into how communities can advocate for stronger protections and stewardship.

Through a combination of science, lived experience, and community-based solutions, this talk will empower participants with the tools and knowledge to make a difference from supporting equitable tree canopy initiatives to engaging in local decision-making processes that shape the future of our urban forest.

Part 2: Urban Forest and Heat Islands

Thursday, July 30
6PM - 7PM
Rainier Arts Center
3515 S Alaska St, Seattle, WA 98118

In this second installment of Urban Forest Climate Series, Ed Dominguez invites South Seattle community members to explore how urban forests shape the health and resilience of our neighborhoods. Through his deep knowledge of the natural world and passion for connecting people to place, Ed will provide important insights into the many benefits of the urban tree canopy, from cooling our streets and improving air quality to supporting wildlife and community well-being. The session will also examine the history and inequities of tree canopy distribution, highlighting why some neighborhoods experience more extreme heat than others. Through this lens, we’ll explore urban heat islands and share practical, community-centered strategies for creating cooler, greener, and more equitable neighborhoods.

Part 3: Urban Forests and The Birds That Need Them

Thursday, August 20
6PM - 7PM
Rainier Arts Center
3515 S Alaska St, Seattle, WA 98118

Urban forests are more than shade and greenery, they are vital habitat for birds and other wildlife that depend on trees for survival. As climate change and development reshape our city, these habitats are shrinking, with serious consequences for the species that rely on them.

In this final installment of our Urban Forest Climate Series, Ed Dominguez brings his expertise as a renowned birder and naturalist to explore the deep connection between urban tree canopy and bird life. Drawing on his years of observation and research, Ed highlights how trees support migratory and resident birds alike, and how the loss of canopy disproportionately impacts biodiversity, especially in areas like South Seattle.

Participants will gain a better understanding of which birds depend on urban forests, how climate change is affecting their behavior and survival, and what we can do locally to protect and restore the habitats they need. From planting and caring for trees to advocating for bird-friendly policies and spaces, this talk offers meaningful ways for individuals and communities to support the wildlife that make our city vibrant and alive.

Join us to discover how protecting urban forests also means protecting the birds that define and enrich our shared environment and how, together, we can help ensure they continue to thrive.

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