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Tree Bark
News from Urban Forestry — All Trees, No Pulp • February 13, 2025
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“A tree has roots in the soil yet reaches to the sky. It tells us that in order to aspire, we need to be grounded, and no matter how high we go, it is from our roots that we draw sustenance.”
- Wangari Maathai (Nobel Laureate and Kenyan environmentalist, politician, and activist)
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Black History Month is a time to celebrate the many contributions of Black Americans to our country’s history and culture. These contributions touch all parts of our society, including environmentalism and conservation work. Below you will find two articles celebrating the connections between nature and Black History.
Explore a list of over 30 different Black environmental leaders and learn about the impact of their work: Celebrating Black environmentalists during Black History Month.
Read the article Nature-Themed Reading for Black History Month for a curated list of books by Black authors about nature.
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Vanport, one of the largest wartime housing projects in the U.S., housed over 40,000 people at its peak during WWII. Built in 1942 to accommodate workers from Portland and Vancouver shipyards, it became Oregon's second-largest city.
Vanport held special significance for Black and Indigenous families, providing rare housing opportunities in Portland during and after the war, amid strong racist sentiments of the time. While the housing and facilities of the city were segregated by design, Vanport was also the first community in Portland with integrated schools and theaters, as well as the first city in Oregon to hire Black teachers and police officers.
Vanport was destroyed on May 30, 1948, by a catastrophic Columbia River flood, displacing its residents. Due to discriminatory housing policies, Black and Indigenous residents were forced to relocate to designated neighborhoods in North Portland. Yet, Vanport’s existence and the diverse communities it brought to the city left a lasting impact, forever shaping and enriching Portland’s future.
While most physical remnants have disappeared over time, several trees from Vanport’s era still stand as living markers of its history. Likely present during both the city’s construction and destruction, these trees serve as a tangible link to the past, preserving the memories of the diverse residents who helped shape Portland’s culture.
Check out the report produced by Nidus Consulting, Outdoor History Consulting, and the Vanport Placemaking Project to learn more about the trees that may have survived the flood and their connection to Vanport’s history. To learn more about Vanport, check out The Vanport Mosaic website or this article on the Vanport flood.
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Portland Urban Forest Plan Open House
Wednesday, February 26, from 5:30pm to 7:00pm;
The June Key Delta Community Center (5940 N Albina Ave, Portland, OR 97217).
Join us for the final open house for the draft of Portland Urban Forest Plan. Come see how we have turned your ideas into our new vision, goals, and recommendations for the future. At this event, you can learn about the plan and share your feedback through interactive activities. You will have opportunities to speak directly with the project team. Interpretation services and light refreshments will be provided.
Join the project email list to be alerted as soon as the draft plan is posted, and the public comment period opens.
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Local Tree Care Providers Workshop
Tuesday, March 11, from 12:30pm to 3:30 pm; Online (Zoom)
Calling all tree care professionals! If you work with trees within the city limits of Portland, then this workshop is for you. Learn about different kinds of tree permits and how to submit applications. Urban Forestry staff will be there to answer your questions. After completing the workshop, companies that meet the qualifying criteria may be placed on the City's website as a Local Tree Care Provider.
International Society of Arboriculture Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Oregon Landscape Contractors Board Continuing Education hours (CEs) may be available.
Register for the workshop here. Read more about the Local Tree Care Providers List for details.
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Spring Tree Planting at Ed Benedict Park
Saturday, March 15, from 9:30am to 1:30pm; Ed Benedict Park (SE Powell and 104th Ave)
Welcome the spring season by joining us at Ed Benedict Park for a community tree planting event!
This event is also a perfect opportunity to explore all the ways you can get involved with Urban Forestry—whether it’s through volunteering or participating in programs like the Yard Tree Giveaway and Free Street Trees programs.
Sign up for the event here.
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