We created a visual message in the form of a family friendly carbon-offsetting "Marching Forest". It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. We hope our forest serves to stir people, nomatter how old or what language they speak. Art reaches people differently than scientific fact. There are many ways to speak. We need all voices. We wanted to bring some spirit of fun and hope to lighten the onslaught of dire facts that we are all hearing and to the work that we will be doing for a long time to come.
When people see that others are putting themselves on the line about this issue, it helps give them courage to join in. The more people we can reach, the easier the rest of the work will be. Less paddling up stream. The Step It Up grassroots march will be historic as a catalyst for change. We want the whole world to see that we citizens in the US mean business about global warming. Marching, taking to the streets has occurred throughout history. Martin Luther King did it. The immigrants marched on Washington by the thousands. Women's rights, WTO ...Viet Nam...Iraq....It is important that we come out of our dwellings and gather as one body to send a message that we are passionate about, for change that is critical to make. Let's take to the streets! If we all stayed in our homes who would know.

We Celebrated the Benefits of Urban Trees

1. Shade
2. Reduce runoff
3. Block wind
4. Prevent erosion
5. Protection for people, pets and wildlife
6. Filter air by collecting dust that washes off when it rains
7. Reduces carbon dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide.
8. Gives off Oxygen
9. Provides habitat for birds, wildlife and insects.
10. Provides nutrients for soil by dropping leaves, seeds, berries and needles.
11. Provide privacy
12. Screen out unsightly views
13. Enhance architecture
14. Provide beauty and color
15. Help direct traffic along streets
16. Increase safety for pedestrians along street
17. Lower energy costs by shading buildings and creating wind breaks
18. Increase value of property and therefore tax base
19. Reduce traffic speed according to studies
20. Improve business
21. Reduce human need for protection from rain, sun, heat, wind and skin protection
22. Reduce health problems like asthma and cancer
23. Reduce blood pressure, improve emotional health according to studies.
24. Provide calming and healing effects.
25. Commemoratives of deceased loved ones
26. Make time pass in a more enjoyable way in their presence
27. Reduce road rage
28. Shade increases the life of pavement and reduces maintenance
29. Placemaking- they connect us to nature, other creatures and each other
30. Provide food for birds, humans and other creatures and insects
31. Teach us patience.
32. Provide recreation such as climbing and swinging.
33. Can be used as a living snow fence.
34. Inspire creativity - poems, paintings, marches, etc
35. According to a legend of a South American Indian tribe, the trees hold up the sky and the fall of trees will precipitate the downfall of the Earth.