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Tree Bark

News from Urban Forestry — All Trees, No Pulp • November 20, 2025

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Photo Credit: Dale Kakkak

 “Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.”

― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Writer, Environmentalist, Professor, and Enrolled Member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation

The Updated Portland Urban Forest Plan is Here! 

We are excited to announce that City Council has adopted an updated Portland Urban Forest Plan.

Shaped by extensive community input, the plan lays out actions to preserve the city’s trees and more equitably plant new trees for our children, grandchildren, and future generations to enjoy.

The long-term action plan makes it easier and more affordable to care for trees. This includes developing a city-led program to care for street trees and providing support for trees on private property.

The plan also sets targets to plant more trees—especially in areas like East Portland with the fewest trees. This includes:

• Ensuring every neighborhood enjoys at least 25% tree canopy (today, only about half meet that goal), and
• Increasing tree canopy cover Citywide to 45% in 40 years.

You can read the whole plan and previous iterations on the plan webpage. 

Goodbye to Track-it-Forward 

Track-it-Forward has been Urban Forestry’s volunteer management system for many years, but now that time has come to an end. Portland Parks & Recreation is launching a new volunteer management system that will host volunteer opportunities for all Parks Divisions. On this platform you will make an account to be able to sign up for future Urban Forestry events. After this month, all new Urban Forestry events will be hosted on the new website.

While you wait for the first events to be posted, make an account and explore the new system today!

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month 

Photo Credit: Erika Shultz/ The Seattle Times

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages, and stories of Native American and Alaska Native communities. As the original stewards of the land we inhabit, it is necessary that their historical and present-day efforts to protect, restore, and honor the land be recognized. To celebrate, here are two resources that explore Indigenous ecological practices.

Resources

The first is an article from the Seattle Times, highlighting Indigenous practices of modifying trees to mark important areas or to harvest woody resources for canoes and other goods. Embedded in the article is a video explaining why the cedar is a sacred tree to Pacific Northwest Tribes.

Second is a book by Indigenous ecologist Dr. Jennifer Grenz (Nlaka'pamux mixed ancestry), called "Medicine Wheel for the Planet." In her work, Dr. Grenz details her frustration with the limitations of restoration ecology in combatting a changing climate. Her book explores how humans can save the planet and ourselves by combining Western science and Indigenous wisdom.

Submissions Wanted for the Fall Photo Contest

Photo Credit: Sarah May Wasserman

There is still time to submit photos for the Fall Photo Contest. Submit your best fall pictures of the city’s trees by December 1 and win a free Urban Forestry t-shirt. Submissions can be sent to UFVolunteers@PortlandOregon.gov or you can tag on us social media @PortlandParks on Instagram and Facebook.

Urban Forestry | (503) 823-8733 | Trees@PortlandOregon.gov