By Gill Holland
You may not realize it, but Cindi Sullivan is one of the people most responsible for helping folks breathe better air here in Louisville. It sounds funny, I know … but our trees are the “lungs” of the city, and Cindi is the head of Trees Louisville. I want to highlight her good work with Trees Louisville this month, since they are looking for volunteers to help develop an Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP). The UFMP is a community-driven plan to invest in the long-term well being of Louisville’s trees and its people. So please read more and check out their website and hopefully get inspired to join this good cause! Trees Louisville is seeking 100 individuals to participate in the Urban Forestry Advisory Group that will hold three workshops in late spring/early summer 2024 to delve into current conditions, challenges, and future goals for Louisville's urban forest.
Many folks recognize Cindi’s name and voice from her long-running show on WHAS radio where she talked about and dealt with questions about horticulture, the environment, and even lifestyle. But most don’t know that Cindi studied horticulture at UK and grew up with a father who was an avid gardener. She loved helping him out whenever he was working in the garden, despite the fact he didn't always give her the easiest jobs. As she says, “That's when I discovered my love for all things plants, soil and nature!”
She specialized in fruit and vegetable production when she was at UK, and then got hired as a Community Garden coordinator, helping Brightside and Open Space maintenance with the city. That's when her interest in urban trees really started to consume her. So, she took and passed the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) Certification exam in the early 90's and became one of the first officially certified arborists in Kentucky.
When asked about the impact and importance of the number of trees planted yearly and their location or density, Cindi responds, “I don't think that concentrating on the numbers is as important as making sure that we are planning and planting in areas that need trees in an equitable and inclusive fashion. We know that a robust tree canopy will improve the health and quality of life of the people in this community. That is the impact we are striving to accomplish. I think what's important about our methodologies at Trees Louisville is when we are working in a neighborhood, we give residents choices. We understand that there are legitimate reasons that a person wouldn't want a tree in their yard or in the ‘right of way’ in front of their home. We understand that there are some trees that people like and don't like. Hearing voices and providing choices is crucial to our mission.”
The Japanese concept of “Shinrin-yoku” or “forest bathing,” has always fascinated me, and Cindi assures me that “you can bathe in an urban forest! There is a concept promoted by one of our urban forest colleagues from the Netherlands, Cecil Konijnendijk; he calls it the “3-30-300 rule” for healthier and greener cities. Paraphrasing, it goes like this: You should be able to see at least three trees from a window in your home; your neighborhood should have at least 30 percent canopy coverage, and you should live within 300 meters of a park or open space. Isn't that a lovely, lofty goal for us to pursue in Louisville? For ALL of us! Because the basis of Shinrin-yoku is all about connecting with nature, whether it involves one tree or a forest.”
So the next time you walk under the shade of a tree, or drive down a lovely tree-lined parkway or worry about the urban heat island effect, please think about Cindi and Trees Louisville and get involved!
