We face some of the worst environmental conditions in California

The poorest communities in California are also the most environmentally unhealthy. With the highest population ratio of asthma related health issues in California, growing trees in the neighborhood is the best long-term solution.

The poorest communities in California are also the most environmentally unhealthy. With the highest population ratio of asthma related health issues in California, growing trees in the neighborhood is the best long-term solution.

According to CalEnviroScreen 2.0 (the State of California’s tool to qualify the “Disadvantaged Community” status in environmental health) the census tract that Little Manila resides in is in the top 100 percentile in poverty and asthma related issues in the state. In other words, our area faces some of the worst environmental health issues in all of California.

As we face the historical consequences of the building of the Crosstown Freeway in downtown Stockton, we must also note its environmental consequences. We share this census tract with three elementary schools with over 1,500 students, San Joaquin County Administration building, City Hall, San Joaquin County Courthouse, and many other agencies and businesses.

In the historical Little Manila / Chinatown neighborhood, we counted 127 empty tree wells. Currently there is funding through cap and trade funds and other state funds to regreen our poorest urban communities where all too often the worst environmental issues exist. We hope to partner with the City of Stockton, Chinese Benevolent Association, San Joaquin Conservation Corps, businesses, and neighbors to regreen the neighborhood. Urban regreening has been seen as essential to mitigating climate change and we want to do our part for our community, Stockton, and the world.