The Port of San Diego along with the San Diego Convention Center, the ATS, AstraZeneca, Breathe Southern California, and other partners, teamed up to plant 27 new trees in Embarcadero Marina Park North along the San Diego Bay waterfront.

The ATS, AstraZeneca, and Breathe Southern California donated twenty Tipuana tipu trees and seven pink Coral Gum trees to the Port of San Diego. Leaders from all the organizations planted the trees on May 16, just before the start of ATS 2024.

The Tipuana tipu and pink Coral Gum trees were selected because they are well-suited for the local environment, will help improve air quality, are visually appealing with their color and floral variations, and have wide canopies to provide shade from the sun.

“Pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are absorbed and broken down within trees,” said M. Patricia Rivera, MD, ATSF, president of the ATS. “In one year, a mature tree will absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release life-giving oxygen in exchange. These new trees were selected for their positive environmental impact and durability, contributing to better health outcomes for future generations of San Diego residents and visitors.”

Liz Bodin, Vice President, US Respiratory & Immunology, said, “At AstraZeneca, we aim to drive positive change beyond the impact of our medicines by embedding sustainability into everything we do, creating enduring value for people, our society, and the planet. We strongly believe in the interconnectivity between the planet’s health and the lung health of respiratory patients. That’s why we are proud to partner with the American Thoracic Society and Breathe Southern California as part of the ATS 2024 Tree Planting Program to help address greenhouse gas emissions and create a more sustainable future.”

“The Port of San Diego is actively refreshing landscaping all around San Diego Bay to enhance the environment and create an overall better visitor experience,” explained Commissioner Sid Voorakkara, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “We are grateful to the American Thoracic Society, Breathe Southern California, and AstraZeneca for their generosity and partnership in this project.”

Tipuana tipus are renowned as fast-growing trees that can reach up to 50 feet high with a 25- to 50-foot canopy. They are recognized by their yellow flowers that bloom in the summer. Pink Coral Gum trees can reach up to 40 feet tall with canopies up to 30 feet wide. In one year, a mature tree will absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen in exchange.

The new trees replaced 19 African coral trees that were removed from the park due to their weakened state caused by weather events and the challenging marine environment.