In Pasadena, California, environmental activists have taken a strong stand at John Muir High School. Named after John Muir, the father of environmental preservation, the high school has become a battleground over the fate of several American sweet gum trees.
The controversy began when Pasadena Unified School District, in collaboration with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, announced plans to cut down nearly 200 trees. These trees, located on contaminated soil, have grown over decades on various school campuses. The district says removing the trees is necessary to clean the soil before the new school year starts in August.
“Trees are where children play, where communities gather, where roots run deep,” stated a school district spokesperson.
Activists argue for alternative methods to clean the soil and cite a local ordinance that protects many of these trees. In response to the dispute, the city of Pasadena issued a stop-work order, prompting a review of all the trees. The school district insists that the city lacks authority over this cleanup project.
The roots of this issue trace back 18 months to the Eaton Fire, which devastated parts of Altadena and Pasadena. Nineteen lives were lost, and many buildings were destroyed or left contaminated with toxic substances. Soil across Pasadena’s school properties was tested the following spring, revealing high levels of lead and arsenic.
The plan to remove 13,000 tons of soil included cutting down 193 trees across 11 sites. Notable among these are mature species like the coast live oak and western sycamore. Activists first noticed tree removal on June 11 at San Rafael Elementary School, sparking further protests.
Nina Raj, a naturalist, and Jessica Richards from Pasadena Tree Preservation, have been vocal. Raj personally intervened to halt work at the school district headquarters. Meanwhile, Jessica Richards criticized the one-to-one tree replacement plan, calling it a myth.
Among those involved is 17-year-old Paloma Muñiz-Ochoa, who stayed in a coast live oak for eight hours to prevent its removal. Her actions are part of a broader youth movement aiming to save these trees.
The district has since announced it will save up to 57 trees using alternative soil cleaning methods. Despite this, uncertainties persist about which trees will remain.
Prominent local trees like coast live oaks and Deodar cedars have marked Pasadena’s landscape for years. They are protected by a 2002 ordinance. This policy ensures that native, mature, and significant trees on public and private land are preserved.
Pasadena council member Rick Cole expressed frustration at the process, noting the lack of transparency and the unrealistic expectation of no public resistance. In response, activists, including veteran tree sitters Julia Butterfly Hill and John Quigley, have joined forces to monitor and protect the trees.
Monty Leaver, a 17-year-old student, emphasized the importance of these trees to the school’s character. Students and activists alike are committed to halting tree removal at John Muir High School, even as the school’s authority continues with its plans.
The city secured a warrant for tree inspection with a certified arborist, causing tensions over which authorities have control. Yet, the spirit of activism remains strong. As arborist Sabine Höppner noted, trees’ resilience after fires sends a powerful message of strength and renewal.