Celebrating Earth Month 2025: How you can travel green this spring and beyond

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At-a-glance:

• April is Earth Month, and this year's theme is Our Power, Our Planet.
• We're focusing on sustainability and climate-friendly travel. Did you know transportation makes up about 60% of Seattle's carbon emissions?
• In this post, we'll share what we're doing to give you more sustainable ways to get around the city.
• Whether you're riding transit, biking, scooting, walking, rolling, or carpooling, your daily choices make a big impact. Ready to explore your options? Check out FlipYourTrip.org for a full list of ways to move around Seattle in eco-friendly ways.
• From street trees to reliable transit, we're here to support you as we tackle climate change together - today and for the future!
• Want to learn more? Visit our Climate Response page and check out our Climate Change Response Framework. Let's take action, one trip at a time.
• Quick links to what's in this blog post:
  • Transit is transformational
  • Meet Nolan Rundquist, SDOT's Arborist
  • We're participating in the 2025 Equity in Motion Summit
  • Experience the beauty of cherry blossoms

How you travel matters. By choosing different ways to get around, you can help to keep our air clean. Even taking transit once or twice a week makes a big impact compared to driving alone. Small shifts can add up and make a big difference.

At SDOT, we're working year-round to make these choices more convenient for you - by adding bus lanes for faster, more reliable transit, building protected bike lanes for safer rides, installing new sidewalks, and much more. Our goal is to help you get around safely, comfortably, and sustainably.

Here are several programs, projects, and initiatives you'll notice taking shape in Seattle this month and throughout the year.

Transit is transformational

A reliable transit system offers you more travel choices and can transform the way we all travel. We're working to make transit better, more reliable, and even more enjoyable for you to use - whether you're just trying it out or already rely on it.

Thanks to Seattle voters approving the Seattle Transit Measure in 2020, you now have access to more bus service in the city. For example, we recently added 250+ more bus trips each week as part of the recent Spring 2025 service change.

[Link]People getting on two buses headed north near the Seattle Center. Photo: SDOT

But it doesn't stop at buses. The Seattle Transit Measure also funds a variety of Transportation Access Programs to help our communities more easily access affordable transit rides.

We're also delivering capital projects to make your ride smoother and more reliable. From the recently completed RapidRide G Line - Madison St project to the RapidRide J Line project that's now under construction, or expanded bus lanes on Rainier Ave S and upgrades to Route 40, you'll see our crews working all around town.

Beyond buses, Sound Transit's Link light rail is a fantastic option to see Seattle's vibrant cultural, commercial, and community destinations. The 1 Line connects you from Northgate to the U District, through Capitol Hill, Downtown Seattle, the Chinatown-International District, and south to Rainier Valley to Rainier Beach Station. We hope you have the chance to ride your way to your next event!

[Link]People board a Link light rail train headed south to downtown Seattle. Photo: SDOT

Meet Nolan Rundquist, SDOT's Arborist

Did you know that SDOT has a dedicated urban forestry team managing over 200,000 trees across Seattle? At the heart of this effort is Nolan Rundquist, our expert arborist specializing in on all things street trees!

Nolan works together with a talented team of tree care specialists, tackling everything from trimming and pruning to root management and beyond, ensuring a healthier, greener city for everyone.

We recently sat down with Nolan to discuss some highlights of his work.

[Link]Nolan Rundquist on a recent video call, with a 'Tree City USA' sign from the Arbor Day Foundation in the background. Did you know - Seattle has been a Tree City for 40 years! Photo: SDOT

What is the most exciting aspect of your work as an arborist?

"It's one of the few jobs where you can positively affect the quality of life in a generational sense. What we're doing now, we're doing not just for today but for my grandkids' grandkids."

How many trees does your team count as part of your annual inventory work?

"We've grown from 145,000 trees in our inventory in 2016 to over 200,000 now. Every year, after removing damaged or transitioning trees, we're still adding a net three to five thousand to the tree inventory."

How do trees help protect people and the environment as the planet heats up?

"Trees help mitigate the heat island effect. Shaded pavement lasts longer because it doesn't expand and contract as much, and a cooler environment reduces the need for air conditioning. Planting nature's air conditioner is one way we prepare for hotter summers."

How does Seattle work together across departments with the Mayor's One Seattle approach?

"We coordinate through the Trees for Seattle umbrella to align urban forestry activities with citywide climate goals and report to the mayor on progress. It's a combined effort with Parks and Recreation, Office of Sustainability and Environment, Seattle Public Utilities, and several other departments."

Thanks for sharing your insights with our readers, Nolan!

[Link]Members of SDOT's Urban Forestry team as they plant trees in the Westlake neighborhood. Photo: SDOT

We're participating in the 2025 Equity in Motion Summit

As part of our ongoing commitment to sharing insights and learning from our peers in the transportation, equitable urban planning, and climate sectors, we're attending the second annual Equity in Motion Summit on April 25 in New York City. It's hosted by the New York Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) with around 400 people expected to attend.

Our SDOT Climate Officer Radcliffe Dacanay will moderate a panel session titled 'Innovating Towards Healthier Urban Neighborhoods and Ecosystems' which promises to be a stimulating discussion. Annya Pintak, a leader in transportation equity at SDOT, will also speak at the event about her time developing our Transportation Equity Workgroup and Transportation Equity Framework.

Experience the beauty of cherry blossoms

It's not too late - enjoy the cherry blossoms this month while they're still in bloom! Visit the U District Cherry Blossom Festival and take in the iconic blossoms on the University of Washington Seattle campus. For eco-friendly ways to get there, check out our latest travel guide.

Prefer a more relaxed approach? Take a stroll through your neighborhood or wherever the blossoms are throughout Seattle. No matter how you choose to enjoy them, go see them soon!

[Link]The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, for now… Check them out yourself! Photo: SDOT

Thank you for your interest and support! Be sure to follow us on social media for more updates as we continue celebrating Earth Month this April!