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5 <br /> issue to the whole catechism of ecology except in the promotion of <br /> public awareness and interest in the local flora and fauna. But <br /> the tightly constrained habitat of the downtown streets is the <br /> last place to attempt to grow exemplary native specimens for <br /> educational purposes. There are much more appropriate places for <br /> this purpose. <br /> School District #4 has 32 elementary schools, 8 middle schools <br /> and 4 high schools adding up to 320 acres which will provide broad <br /> open spaces well distributed throughout the area. This is the <br /> place where education of the young in ecology is a very important <br /> objective. If that is not enough the easterly 300 acres of Alton <br /> Baker is dedicated for this same purpose and would welcome native <br /> plantings that otherwise are not going to be made. Consider the <br /> approaches to the Ferry Street Bridge, the denuded downtown park <br /> blocks, and the barren fairground properties. An earnest look at <br /> the educational program and its best places in the community will <br /> keep the ETF busy for the next 20 years or more. The temptation to <br /> participate in the available trust funds and make an ego- stroking <br /> splash in a high visibility place is understandable, but it is not <br /> in the public interest. <br /> Consider urban trees from the general public's point of view. <br /> Over the last 200 years people of all nations in the temperate <br /> zones have tested the best of the plant materials and through trial <br /> and error have developed a consensus on those plant materials which <br /> are lovable, useful and adaptable to urban habitats. The best of <br />