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Tree Bark
News from Urban Forestry — All Trees, No Pulp • May 8, 2025
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“The climate crisis is a humanity crisis... Pacific Islanders are the canaries in the coal mine, warning the world of this climate reality. To save the Pacific is to save the world.”
— Activist and 2022 Global Citizen Prize winner, Brianna Fruean
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Celebrating Bill Naito for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
 Did you know May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month? It’s a time to honor the rich cultures, histories, and lasting contributions of AANHPI communities to American society.
The month of May was chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the completion of the transcontinental railroad. On May 10, 1869, the final spike was driven into the railroad—a project in which Chinese laborers played a crucial role.
In celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month, we're highlighting Bill Naito—a businessman, philanthropist, and civic leader whose lasting impact can be seen throughout Portland. His passion for trees, public transit, and historic preservation helped shape the city’s landscape. One of his many achievements includes founding the Urban Forestry Commission in 1975.
Read more about Bill Naito’s legacy here, or check out the biography written by his granddaughter, Erica Campbell-Naito, who also hosts talks around Portland honoring his memory.
To celebrate his work with trees, we created the Bill Naito Community Trees Award. Learn about past winners and how to nominate a person or group doing outstanding work to protect and grow Portland’s urban forest. Nominations are accepted until September 1.
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200 Trees Planted Through Learning Landscapes
 Learning Landscapes is one of the oldest planting programs at Urban Forestry. This season was led by our new Learning Landscapes Program Manager, Elena Amaya. Elena has been working with youth in tree education for many years in Portland and is excited to help foster the next generation of tree stewards—right in their schoolyards!
This season, Learning Landscapes planted 200 trees across seven different sites. One location was at Tucker Maxon School, a school for children who are hard of hearing. Other sites were planted in partnership with Home Forward, where community members joined events in Southeast and North Portland. The program also partnered with the David Douglas School District to plant 90 trees at Gilbert Park Elementary and Ventura Park Elementary. At these two sites alone, over 200 students participated, contributing more than 80 hours of volunteer work.
Learning Landscapes has ambitious goals for the season ahead. It aims to continue planting on school properties throughout Portland and to welcome new youth and family organizations to participate. The program’s goal is to plant 300 trees next season, helping to expand the Rose City’s urban forest.
Interested in planting trees at a school or youth and family property? Sign up on the Learning Landscapes Interest form!
View photos from past Learning Landscapes events on our Flickr.
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Other News
Urban Forestry is Hiring a Tree Planting Supervisor I
We are seeking a forward-thinking supervisor to lead and enhance our City and Private Property Tree Planting programs, as we increase planting and establishment goals. As the City and Private Property Tree Planting Supervisor, you will lead a team of tree planting specialists and seasonal employees in planning, implementing, and evaluating our planting programs. Your team will focus on diverse locations, such as private properties, schoolyards, City parks, and other City properties. You will play a crucial role in training and mentoring tree planting specialists and seasonal staff as our programs expand. In this position, you will oversee a team of approximately eight full-time employees and multiple seasonal staff, driving our mission to equitably expand Portland's urban forest. Annual salary $97,510.40 - $126,692.80. Applications close May 19. Learn more and apply to the Supervisor I position.
Urban Forestry is Hiring a Contracting Analyst II
Urban Forestry is looking for a Contracting Analyst II to oversee the contracts and procurement efforts essential for the care of over 330,000 City-owned street trees.
In this role, you will be responsible for leading solicitation processes, updating agreements and contracts, processing purchase orders, and managing contract amendments and task orders. Collaboration with Urban Forestry program managers and procurement professionals will be key to ensuring alignment with our processes and equity goals. Additionally, you will serve as a liaison among internal stakeholders, City offices, and vendors, to streamline the contracts and procurement process.
This position is funded by the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF), reflecting a significant investment in street tree care in Portland. Annual salary: $97,510.40 - $126,692.80. Applications close May 12. Learn more and apply to the Contracting Analyst II position.
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