Cypress Park -- How does one transition from a master's degree in social work to becoming the head of a Cypress Park-based environmental group, North East Trees?

It was while doing social work some years back in South Los Angeles that Carlos Moran realized he had to prepare his team for cycles in the weather. In the summer, drug and alcohol abuse would increase. Rates of suicide and violence also went up with the temperatures.

But it went beyond just the weather. Trees — just plain trees — made a statistical difference all year ‘round. Areas without any urban forestry had higher rates of asthma. Life expectancy shrank by 12 years. Car accidents and pedestrian deaths increased because no greenery was calming drivers down. Strokes, hospitalizations, diabetes, all of it got worse.

It see

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