Advocating For Stronger Tree Protections

 

​In light of new state directives to streamline affordable housing development, we advocated for increased public engagement in the application process to ensure that preserving the urban tree canopy remains a key consideration in future projects. We also spoke up for trees in Regional Transportation Planning to safeguard locally forested areas, habitat connectivity, and mature trees from significant transportation encroachment.

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Greening Schoolyards: 
Advancing Cool Schools in Washington County

Along with partners Depave, Friends of Trees and the Urban Conservation Program of the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District, we obtained an ODF grant for a Cool Schools pilot program that will help school sites that are most in need of trees. We also began an active part in maintaining school trees by weekly watering of young trees at our pilot school, Vose Elementary in Beaverton. We organized two work parties to weed around the trees to reduce competition, give them a thorough watering, and apply mulch to reduce moisture loss. Now we hope to expand this success to other schools in need.

Learning From Area Experts

 

Experts shared their knowledge with us on a wide variety of topics in webinars addressing Winter Pruning for Tree Health, Trees in Urban Watersheds, and The Decade of the Oaks. The recordings are available on the Webinar page of our website, or on our YouTube channel. 

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Saving Trees 
By Pulling Ivy

 

​English ivy (Hedera helix) is an exotic invasive species. It can attach itself to a tree’s bark and head upward into the tree’s crown,a serious problem that can weaken or even topple trees. This year, numerous volunteers contributed 162 hours of work to girdle ivy on trees and clear 4,430 square feet of the ground around them.

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Tracking New Developments

 

​We attended numerous neighborhood meetings concerning proposed development, lending our voice to neighbors and providing advice about how to advocate for change. 

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Celebrating Trees With Guided Tree Walks

 

Our tree walks are a fun way to share our love for trees. learn from each other, and make new friends. This year we hosted monthly guided tree walks in a number of locations across Washington County, with a total of 104 participants and a growing number of excellent leaders.

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Following Changes For Significant Natural Resources
 

We celebrated our local trees by achieving Heritage Tree status for three special trees near Cedar Mill's historic Young House. They re estimated to be around 150 years old. The dedication ceremony took place at the Cedar Mill Cider Festival. While this designation does not provide any additional protections for these special trees, we hope it will bring attention to them for generations to come.  

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Nominating
Heritage Trees

 

We celebrated our local trees by achieving Heritage Tree status for three special trees near Cedar Mill's historic Young House. They re estimated to be around 150 years old. The dedication ceremony took place at the Cedar Mill Cider Festival. While this designation does not provide any additional protections for these special trees, we hope it will bring attention to them for generations to come.