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The Newsletter of the Urban & Community Forestry Assistance Program - Winter 2024

Letter from the Editor

Hello there! Oregon’s not so happy new year started with a destructive winter storm that hit many of our communities hard. As we are all finally thawing out, warming up, and recovering from the winter weather and tree damage that followed, I want to say how impressed I am with the broader urban forestry community’s response to storm-downed trees [in the aftermath of the storm here in Oregon. A huge round of applause for all the urban foresters and arborists involved in that work! For this winter’s newsletter I am sharing: 

• Urban and Community Forestry Updates
• Winter Storm Tree Damage in the News
• Community Highlights
• The Arbor Day Foundation Information
• Upcoming Events

Warmly, Brittany Oxford

ODF U&CF UPDATES

Visit us Virtually During Our Office Hours Have a question for the Urban and Community Forestry program? Want to talk trees and potentially meet other community partners in Urban forestry? Join us for our virtual office hours held the FIRST MONDAY of every month from 3-4pm (PST) over Zoom.  ZOOM MEETING LINK Meeting ID: 916 3926 3800 We look forward to seeing you there!

Our Team is Growing!

You may see some new faces in Urban and Community Forestry program as we go from a team
of 4 to a team of 9! Not sure who to reach out to for support from our program?
Submit an email to the general line and we will get in touch with you!

Contact the Urban & Community Forestry Program

Upcoming Grant Opportunities

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program has several upcoming grant opportunities. The UCF Program received Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) grant funding to support urban and community forestry efforts throughout Oregon. Read through their awarded grant proposal and frequently asked questions (FAQ) to learn about this upcoming funding opportunity. The UCF Program is also collaborating with the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) on the Community Green Infrastructure Grant, established through House Bill 3409. The UCF Program will continue to provide updates on upcoming IRA grant and Community Green Infrastructure Grant opportunities.

IN THE NEWS: Tree Damage from Winter Storms

Check Out These Winter Storm Stories

• Assessing storm damage to Portland’s tree canopy
• Opinion: We must invest in tree care to protect trees and our communities
• When the Bough Breaks: Tree Damage from the Ice Storm of 2024 and What We Can Do to Save Our Trees
• After winter storm, Mount Pisgah in Lane County is a hard hat zone
• Expert: Trees fall for several reasons can be saved

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

Portland Parks and Recreation’s
Urban Forestry Team is Hiring!

Forest Pest and Pathogen Coordinator Position Description

Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry is committed to preserving and enhancing the health of our urban forest, and we are seeking a dedicated professional to join our team as the Forest Pest and Pathogen Coordinator. This position will manage citywide response to current and emerging pest and pathogen threats to Portland’s trees, including leading development and implementation of the City’s Emerald Ash Borer Response Plan and Dutch Elm Disease management program. This position will coordinate planning and response among City workgroups, manage seasonal field monitoring staff, track and report on program activities and outcomes, and represent the City at the state and regional level.

Learn more and apply: Forest Pest and Pathogen Coordinator Job Posting

Heritage Tree Announcements

The Oregon Heritage Tree awards will be determined in March and awardees will be recognized in April at a statewide dedication ceremony.    In 2021, the Oregon Heritage Tree Committee launched the Heritage Tree Hero Award to recognize individuals and groups that are engaging communities through education about the importance of trees and raising awareness about Oregon's history told through trees and forests. Recent winners were awarded for their leadership in advocating for a city heritage tree program, facilitating Oregon's Green Legacy Hiroshima Peace Tree Project, and incorporating tree preservation into middle school lessons.

ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION INFORMATION

Applications are in Final Review!

A big thank you to all the Tree City USA, Tree Campus Higher Education, and Tree Line USA communities that applied for recognition for 2023! Your applications are in the final review process from the Arbor Day Foundation, congratulations! Did you know that you can download and check the status of your application by logging in to the online application portal? Once you are approved you should see that status change in your online account. Additionally, you will receive an email from The Arbor Day Foundation once approved. Final recognition announcements from ODF UCF will be made in time for Arbor Month in April.

Learn more about The Arbor Day Foundation’s program requirements and resources.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Urban & Community Forestry Events

• PNW ISA Arbor Chat: Tree Risk Assessment Best Management Practice - March 5 Online

• Tree School - March 23 in Oregon City

• Master Woodland Manager Training, Lincoln County - March 23 in Newport

ONLINE RESOURCES

Quick Links

ODF UCF Program

OR TPI resources

Oregon Community Trees

Oregon Heritage Trees

PNW ISA

Arbor Day Foundation

Contact Us

Brittany Oxford
Community Assistance Forester
971.375.6346
Email

Scott Altenhoff
Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager
971.428.7380
Email

Evan Elderbrock

EAB Support Specialist

971.719.0345

Email

Lilah Gonen

EAB Support Specialist

971.718.2532

Email

About the Community Tree Connections Newsletter

Community Tree Connections (CTC) is a periodic publication by the Oregon Department of Forestry, Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program. Our mission is to help Oregonians improve their quality of life by promoting community investment in our urban forests. CTC is published in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Subscriptions to Community Tree Connections are free. Sign up to receive the newsletter.

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