Hi Tweeters,

I could sure use some thoughtful suggestions on how I might convince the
city not to cut down the cypress trees I planted in '91 on my property
line when they widen the street and put in a sidewalk right up to the
property line.

Because the trees sheltered and enclosed the yard and built great
habitat, I became a Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary. Remove the trees and I
will not be able to sustain my wildlife on this busy 4-lane arterial.
I'm just 6 blocks from Carkeek Park and have had deer, rabbits, and
mountain beaver besides 60 species of birds. My neighbors are
predominantly small apartment buildings.

Currently, the trees are 20 feet thick and provide nesting sites for
hummingbirds, Steller's Jays, Chestnut-backed Chickadees and dense,
protective habitat for winter Varied Thrush, as well as food and
roosting for Bushtit, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Orange-crowned Warbler,
Bewick?s Wren, Fox Sparrow, Western Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Song
Sparrow, Black-capped Chickadee, Rufous Hummingbird, Dark-eyed Junco,
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Tanager, and
probably others.

I've put forth other reasons why the city might like to preserve my
setting, but the only one they've responded to is my state certification
as a Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary.

Does anyone out there have some experience with this? I can contact the
WDFW who certified me, but I'd like the most expedient and strongest
approach I can muster.

Thanks for your help.

Patricia S. Lott
Seattle, WA
mail to: VariedThrush at comcast.net