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Tori Antonino submitting comments re: #206504, to establish a Sr. Urban Forestry & Landscape Planner position.
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To the Honorable Board:
I support item 206504 for hiring a senior urban forestry and landscape position with one caveat.
Before approving the $61,692 for this position, can the board of aldermen require that this person have experience (and passion) around ecosystem restoration. Over the past two planting seasons, fall 2017, spring 2018, out of the 150 trees, the arborist has planted 20% native plants.
90% of butterflies and moths can only reproduce on native plants. Butterflies and moths pollinate our food and their larvae are necessary to support our bird population.
Planting with a preference of non-native plants indicates to me that our arborist and city either don't know about the relationship between native plants and pollinators or they are not concerned about it.
Either way, it is unacceptable and this practice not support our biodiversity goals in Somervision or in our zoning.
Please, before approving this agenda item, take into account that we need leadership in embracing our open spaces as places to restore habitat to regenerate populations of bees, butterflies and moths. It is a myth that we cannot accomplish this in the city. The accountability in this area is missing from the city, and when pushed by the citizens it has been met with resistance and doubt.
Thank you,
Tori Antonino
Green and Open Somerville