In an effort to remediate contaminants found in the soil of Pasadena’s schools in May 2025, Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) has opted to scrape soils at schools across the district. As part of this project, the district is also removing 193 trees. While the health and safety of students, staff, and families is crucial, there is simply no science that supports tree removal for soil remediation. In fact, trees can actually help sequester heavy metals in soil. Tree canopy is vital for student and staff health, and would take decades to replace.
Join us in advocating for our nonhuman neighbors.
Tree removal ≠ Soil remediation
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Emails sent to PUSD
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Trees lost to date
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Cooler under mature tree canopy
“The wrongs done to trees, wrongs of every sort, are done in the darkness of ignorance and unbelief, for when the light comes, the heart of the people is always right.”
John Muir
Trees are not just aesthetic. They provide myriad benefits, including cooling microclimates, filtering pollutants out of air and water, capturing carbon, reducing energy costs, providing habitat and, yes, even sequestering heavy metals in soil. Losing 193 trees across PUSD campuses will result in a devastating loss of canopy creating heat islands. Unshaded areas are 10-15 degrees hotter. This increase in heat poses a student and staff health risk. Heat-related illnesses are on the rise and children are especially vulnerable. In short, our ecology and our childrens’ health are stake.
Additionally, this misguided project will cost taxpayers $6.6 million dollars. In contrast, bioremediation techniques could save money and save trees.
What’s at stake?
Student safety:
Our common ground
Contaminated soils at Pasadena schools absolutely can and should be remediated. But there’s no evidence that tree removal would support soil remediation. In fact, trees can help sequester heavy metals, making soils safer.
Addressing soil containments is a necessity for student, staff and community health. The Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) mandates that any harmful substance over the California regulatory limits (which are far more stringent than the EPA) be lowered to allowable levels. DTSC does not dictate how this is done—only that it is done. We wholeheartedly agree that soil contamination be addressed. Fortunately, there are lower-cost methods that retain the trees and reduce contamination.