Activists Oppose Tree Removal at Pasadena Schools

In Pasadena, California, activists are protesting the removal of trees at John Muir High School, named for a key environmental preservationist, John Muir. They’ve taken to chaining themselves to trees to prevent their removal, after their previous efforts to stop the cutting went unheard. For weeks, they have been patrolling the campus, anticipating the day the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) might act against three American sweet gum trees that have been there for decades.

PUSD, in collaboration with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, aims to remove these trees along with contaminated soil before the new school year starts in August. Activists believe that the soil, tainted by fire, should be cleaned without cutting down the trees. They argue that many of these trees are protected by local law. The city of Pasadena has issued a stop-work order to review the situation. Yet, the school district maintains the city lacks authority over this cleanup operation.

Trees located within fire-related contaminant impacted soil removal areas must be removed to allow for the safe and complete removal of fire-related contaminants.

It’s been 18 months since the Eaton Fire severely affected Altadena and parts of Pasadena, claiming 19 lives and destroying numerous properties. The fire left behind toxic residues, including heavy metals, which has driven the district’s decision to remove 13,000 tons of soil. This plan involves cutting 193 trees across 11 sites, including mature native species like coast live oaks and western sycamores. The plan was shared at a public meeting on April 16; however, the full extent became clear only on May 29, after the public comment period ended.

Jessica Richards from Pasadena Tree Preservation criticized the one-to-one replacement plan:

You cannot replace a tree that has been growing for decades with a tree that has a one-inch or two-inch diameter.

Activists first noticed tree removal at San Rafael Elementary School on June 11, prompting immediate action. A spike in alertness followed when they learned an Aleppo pine was being cut at the school district headquarters. Nina Raj, a 36-year-old naturalist, reacted by physically blocking the operation. Seventeen-year-old Paloma Muñiz-Ochoa also protested by climbing a mature coast live oak at the headquarters, spending hours in its branches. Others, like arborist Sabine Höppner, have chained themselves to trees to save them.

The outcry led to the district announcing it would preserve 57 trees and explore alternative soil cleaning methods. Still, the criteria for tree preservation remain unclear. The city of Pasadena, concerned with preserving urban forest, passed an ordinance in 2002 to protect native and mature trees. However, the school district proceeded with the removal plan without coordinating further with city officials.

As protests continue, the school district holds to its position that the cleanup project is outside the city’s jurisdiction. Meanwhile, activists and students intensify their efforts by organizing protests and chaining themselves to prevent tree removal. Environmental veterans Julia Butterfly Hill and John Quigley have joined the demonstrations. The situation remains tense as authorities and activists clash over the right course of action to handle the remnants of the devastating fire.