Portland Street Tree Inventory Comes to Mt. Scott-Arleta

Volunteers Needed for Identifying, Measuring, and Mapping Trees

2015 volunteer opportunities flyer

Portland, Oregon (June 8, 2015) – Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry and Mt. Scott-Arleta are mapping street trees this summer and creating a tree plan. The project provides opportunities for community members to learn more about tree identification and health, meet neighbors and local tree experts, and partake in developing goals for ongoing tree management.

Urban Forestry began partnering with neighborhoods in 2010 to map Portland’s street trees with the ultimate goals of connecting better to community needs and improving management of our urban forest. City-neighborhood partnerships have resulted in mapping over 100,000 trees in 26 Portland neighborhoods. This year the number will double as inventories are conducted in 20 neighborhoods, including Buckman, Centennial, Hazelwood, Irvington, King, Mill Park, Montavilla, Mt. Scott-Arleta, Mt. Tabor, North Tabor, Old Town/Chinatown, Parkrose, Parkrose Heights, Powellhurst-Gilbert, Roseway, Sabin, South Portland, Sumner, Swan Island, Woodlawn, and Vernon.

Some of the goals determined by past neighborhoods include increasing tree diversity, locating new planting opportunities, and providing community education and outreach. Past participants have formed tree teams that meet regularly to tackle tree-related concerns and serve as a resource in their communities.

Rick Faber, a local arborist who has volunteered for the project the past three years as an arborist-on-call, says he, “Likes the concept, not just because the inventory provides useful planning data, but also the fact that it gets people out of their houses and seeing nature right where they live.  Nature is not found only on Mount Hood or in parks. The Street Tree Inventory allows people to take time to appreciate the nature they live in. It’s also a good starting point for neighborhood conservation and sustainability as a whole.”

Susan Oliver, a volunteer with the Street Tree Inventory, described her experience with the program: “You really take care of your volunteers – you make it easy for us to succeed, from the materials used in the inventory, to the perfect organization, to the knowledgeable floating arborists. I typically went away from the experience with more energy than when I started.”

Volunteers play an integral role in bringing the project into fruition. Team leaders and data collectors are needed to help collect and lead others in street tree inventories. Team leaders attend a training session in plant identification and commit to participating in three inventory days. Trainings will be held Saturday, June 6^th at Hinson Church at 1137 SE 20^th Ave., Wednesday, June 10^th at Mt. Scott Community Center 5530 SE 72nd Ave, and Saturday, June 13^th at Mt. Scott Community Center. Registration is free and required at http://portlandoregon.gov/parks/treeinventory.

Data collection volunteers can show up for any number of inventories and will be taught by team leaders how to identify and measure trees, determine health characteristics, and note conditions such as strip width and presence of overhead power lines. Training and materials will be provided.

The inventories will take place over 4 workdays this summer in Mt. Scott-Arleta. 3 Saturdays from 8:30-noon on July 11^th at the Mt. Scott Community Center, August 15^th at the Mt. Scott Community Center, and September 19^th at Calvary Lutheran and 1 Wednesday from 4:30-8:00pm at Mt. Scott Community Center. All information and supplies are provided. Registration is available at the website.

About the project: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/treeinventory

About Mt. Scott-Arleta: Mt. Scott-Arleta Tree Team

Name: Emily Rintoul

Phone: 503-823-4484 Email: fosterecodistrict@gmail.com

The Mixed Use Zones Project will revise Portland’s Commercial and Central Employment zoning codes applied in Centers and Corridors outside of the Central City. These zones (CN1/2, CO1/2, CM, CS, CG, CX, EX), in which mixed uses are allowed, were created over 20 years ago when auto-oriented and low intensity commercial uses were more common.  The project will address issues that arise with new more intensive mixed use buildings, such as: massing and design, transitions and step-downs, and ground floor uses.  An initial concept proposal is being developed this fall.  A more detailed Mixed Use Zones Concept Report is due this winter. Proposed zoning codes are expected in spring 2015. Public hearings on any proposed zoning codes are anticipated in June/July 2015.

The Foster Rd, 82nd Ave, and Powell Blvd corridors will see these mixed use zones apply. This is a good opportunity to learn about the project and understand what it will mean for Foster-Powell.  There are two workshops – downtown and north Portland. See the event flyer here for more information.