This summer, working as a crew leader for the Youth Conservation Crew (YCC) Tree Crew, I supported six diverse teens in discovering how they can be involved in conserving Portland’s trees as a future sustainable career option. 

As a crew, they learned and exercised their newly developed skills in establishing trees at schools, parks, and neighborhoods. Working in local green spaces created lots of conversation around what conservation work is being done within their own neighborhoods and who has those jobs. These conversations allowed the youth to have a unique first job experience with an inclusive and safe work environment for all races, genders, abilities, religions, and economic backgrounds.

YCC is significant to me because of the opportunities it supplies by engaging the crew with employers and positions they may have never considered. As a crew leader of color, I recognized the light-bulb moment in my crew member’s eyes, as if a door had been opened for them, when being introduced to the staff at Urban Forestry. I saw curiosity sparked during conversations around how to be a better professional from staff members of all positions and experiences.

I must say, I agree with them both.

I hope that those of you reading will share what YCC meant to me with a young person that you know, so that they too, can have the opportunity we have all enjoyed. 

9/11/19, Pests and Pathogens of Portland's Trees: Urban Forestry staff will be at the East Portland Community Office from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm to share information about the insects, fungi, and other organisms that currently affect, or may be a future threat to, trees in Portland. Registration full.

9/18/19, Tree Selection Workshop: Planting a new tree is exciting and inspiring, but how do you know you are picking the right tree? Urban Forestry staff are here to help guide you through the steps you need to take to select where to plant the tree, what tree to plant, and resources for where to get your tree! This workshop will be held at the East Portland Community Center (740 SE 106th Ave.) from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Register here. (Registration is already almost half full!)

9/30/19, Tree Walk at Holladay Park: Take a stretch on your lunch-break and get outside for STEPtember with a guided tree walk at Holladay Park (NE Holladay St. and NE 11th Ave.) from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. Register here.

10/4/19, Goose Hollow Days Heritage Tree Tour: Mark your calendar now to join Heritage Tree Committee member, and From Stumptown to Tree Town author, Dave Hedberg, on a historic walking tour of Heritage Trees in the Goose Hollow and King's Hill neighborhoods. Along the way, Dave will talk about some of the trees from his book, and many others too! This event is part of the Goose Hollow Days celebration. Everyone is welcome! Meet at the Goose Hollow Inn at 5:30 pm. 

Ongoing:

GoLloyd STEPtember Pop-Up Arboretum at Holladay Park: Get outside, get stepping, and get on over to Holladay Park to learn about the grand old trees there that stand taller than the surrounding buildings. Learn more about STEPtember here.

Heritage Tree Photo Contest continues through December 1, 2019. Do you need to know how to find a Heritage Tree near you? Check out our map of all the Heritage Trees in town! Then remember to submit your photo here.

The Arborist III is a skilled classification requiring a high level of arboricultural knowledge and tree care practices including tree climbing with ropes and saddles, operation of aerial lift devices and various types of ground operations. This position is responsible for conducting all on site city tree maintenance including pruning, removal, planting, plant health care and emergency operations. This position responds to emergency call outs during and after scheduled work shift.

The Arborist IV acts as the lead worker and has an advanced level of Arboricultural, climbing and leadership skills. This position is responsible for directing and overseeing all on site tree maintenance, equipment maintenance and emergency tree care operations including the more complex and difficult operations. The Arborist IV performs above ground work in trees requiring rigging, climbing and the use of lifts and related equipment for arboricultural needs. This position responds to emergency call outs during and after scheduled work shift.

OPENING DATE: 09/09/2019
CLOSING DATE: 9/23/2019 11:59 pm Pacific Time

Applications may be filed online at: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/jobs

Trees Are Key to Fighting Urban Heat — But Cities Keep Losing Them: National Public Radio (NPR) recently discussed trees in urban areas, or the lack of trees! "Trees can play a huge role in the health of people living in cities, but across the country, cities are losing millions of trees year after year. And many poor urban neighborhoods — often home to a city's most vulnerable — are starting at a disadvantage." Read the article or listen to the newscast here.

Oregon Forest Pest Detector Workshop: You can be part of the local fight against forest pests by taking the Oregon Forest Pest Detector training offered by Oregon State University Extension. Learn to recognize and report signs and symptoms of the emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle in this hands-on class. Upcoming training date: Thursday, October 10th, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Cathedral Park. Cost: $20. Register here.

Train in Sustainable Landscaping, Plant Disease Diagnosis and More with OSU: Whether you want to build permaculture landscapes, diagnose and prevent plant disease or increase your commercial blueberry yields, Oregon State University has opportunities for you. View the Sustainable Landscaping Online Course here. View the Plant Disease Diagnosis Online Course here. See more OSU offerings here.