April 6, 2010

Portland is one of 49 Oregon cities designated "Tree City USA," a recognition we've received for 33 years and counting. Our community's renowned livability can be attributed in part to our extraordinary collection of trees, in our parks and along our streets.

Portland Parks & Recreation has put together a week of events to celebrate Arbor Week. Yesterday's kickoff event was "Tea Under the Cherry Trees" with members of the Tree Steward Coalition at Waterfront Park.

This afternoon, Nick joined the students and staff of West Powellhurst Elementary in SE Portland for an Arbor Day celebration and tree planting ceremony. Nick also commemorated Arbor Week with a proclamation declaring April Arbor Month in the City of Portland.

Also at the event were Parks Director Zari Santner, City Forester Dave McAllister, Urban Forestry Commission Chair Brian Krieg, Community Forester Kristen Ramstad, and Principal Allen Browning.

In addition to the tree planting and reading of the proclamation, the event offered community tree resources, free native trees, and a host of youth activities, including tree climbing.

There are many more events coming up! For more on Parks' Arbor Week event schedule, click here.