We all know that urban forests are great places to relax, recharge physically and mentally, hike, and take the family to explore. But they have many other benefits as well: Urban forests help to filter air and water, control storm water, conserve energy, and provide animal habitats, and decrease run-off. A nice, green canopy will add green to your property value, as well. Thus, it’s only appropriate to honor those making these urban forests healthier…it is a boon to all of us.
And let’s also not forget the importance of maintaining the WUI (Wilderness Urban Interface), that transition zone between unoccupied land and human development. The WUI is key to mitigating fires and other disasters. A healthy buffer reaps rewards in many ways.
In this spirit, CRT is pleased to see that the Oregon Department of Forestry and the non-profit organization Oregon Community Trees (OCT) have announced this year’s Oregon Urban and Community Forestry Award honorees. The cool thing is that the awardees are not only groups but also individuals, validating what we have seen at CRT: People, together or separately, can truly make a difference.
Let’s give a round of applause to:
* Portland Fruit Tree Project
* Rivers of Life Center in West Linn
* Cassie Sigloh in Redmond
* Michael Calhoun in Vernonia
The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Scott Altenhoff, who manages the agency’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, said the awards recognize the vital contributions committed individuals acting solo or banding together in organizations can make to their communities.
“Urban forests benefit everyone. In turn, those forests benefit when residents and non-profits come alongside city governments to help keep them healthy and vibrant,” said Altenhoff.
Oregon Community Trees Vice President Teresa Gustafson chairs the committee that reviews nominations. Of Portland Fruit Tree Project’s (PFTP) nomination Gustafson said, “Their newest project seeks to identify, map and score the health, harvest ability and yield of Portland fruit trees. They hope to reduce fruit waste and carbon emissions while improving the diets of Portlanders. Their programs are innovative, driven by what community members want, and have long-term benefits for some of the most vulnerable people in Portland and surrounding areas.”
Heather Keisler Fornes, Executive Director of PFTP, said of the award, “Portland Fruit Tree Project is honored to be a part of such a vibrant group of entities and individuals growing a more abundant and equitable canopy on our state.” Rivers of Life Center, based in West Linn, was the other organization recognized. The non-profit puts at-risk youth to work on nature restoration, enhancement and beautification projects.
Gustafson said, “Their Mt. Scott Headwaters Project, done in collaboration with Clackamas County Water Environmental Services, provided more than 500 acres of new habitat along Stevens and Phillips creeks south of I-205, complete with muskrat houses, beaver dams and raptor nesting platforms, with public trails for wildlife viewing and educational and interpretive signage.” Beavers and muskrats and raptors are key to a healthy forest, urban or otherwise.
President Jerry Herrman of Rivers of Life Center said "Our urban areas where people and wildlife coexist can and are being made better through good urban forest practices, inclusion of diverse volunteer workers, and, most importantly, direct experiences with ‘creating nature’."
And let’s not forget the other honorees…individuals who are making a difference and well worth celebrating!
Cassie Sigloh has been helping care for Redmond’s street and park trees through ice, wind and snow events as well as drought and heat waves.
“Cassie has a pure passion for arboriculture and trees in general,” said Tyler Roth, an OCT board member who nominated Sigloh. “She truly doesn’t need to do what she does. Cassie does it because she loves trees.”
This next honoree demonstrates how an individual’s actions can truly resonate within their community, and beyond, to our friends across the ocean. Michael Calhoun of Vernonia in Clatsop County became interested in obtaining a Hiroshima peace tree for his hometown.
The young trees were grown from seeds collected from trees that had survived the atom bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. Symbols of hope and resilience to the human survivors of that disaster, Calhoun felt one would be an apt symbol for the resilience he saw demonstrated by his fellow Vernonians in rebuilding after the devastating flood of December 2007. Yes, as experienced Oregonians know, floods can be as damaging as fires.
Calhoun worked with city officials to ensure proper sighting for the peace tree, and even succeeded in getting a protective fence installed.
The tree is one of just 53 made available for planting in Oregon through a partnership between Oregon Community Trees and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF).
In 2022 the peace tree was planted in Ora Bolemeier Park. Calhoun arranged a dedication ceremony for the community, with the Consul of Japan in Oregon as the guest of honor.
“Michael represents how one person can make a big difference for their community when they are patient and persevere,” said Kristin Ramstad, who nominated Calhoun and recently retired as urban forestry manager for ODF.
What do these groups and individuals have in common? A thread, like a river, runs through it: Each is committed to forest wellness and community health; has an appreciation for nature and the beauty and uplift and safety it provides; each has put in the work, patience and dedication to pursue these in many cases time-consuming efforts; and in the case of Calhoun, capping it all of with the vision to act locally but see globally, which is a rare ability indeed.
We applaud these amigos de arbor!
