Tree Cities USA. Oregon Has Impressive List. Grants Follow

Many of you read with delight how Talent received a special designation as the Oregon Department of Forestry’s 2023 Oregon Tree City of the Year. This was deservedly so; Talent’s years-long efforts of re-planting and using smart methods after its devastation has truly been a model that can be used going forward.

But let’s not forget our other Tree Cities here in Oregon! Many Oregon communities marked significant milestones as Tree City USA communities this year.  ODF administers the Tree City USA program in Oregon for the national Arbor Day Foundation. Oregon’s list is impressive – more than 70 winning communities -- and by now has an admirable history.

For example, Rogue River in southern Oregon has maintained its designation for 40 years, according to ODF Community Assistance Forester Brittany Oxford. “Right behind them is Grants Pass, which has now had Tree City USA status for 35 years, and Madras in central Oregon for 30 years.” Oxford said cities benefit from sustained support of their urban forestry programs. 

“Trees are a long-term investment. Keeping engaged with maintenance and replacement tree plantings can help a community increase its tree canopy and keep that urban forest healthy, helping make that community more climate resilient,” she said.

Oxford explains  that cities and towns need to meet four criteria to become a Tree City USA: 

1. Maintain a tree board or department 
2. Have a community tree ordinance 
3. Spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry 
4. Celebrate Arbor Day

And there are incentives that come with being a Tree City. For example, this year, Oregon Community Trees (OCT) has awarded a total of almost $3,000 to six Oregon Tree City communities to help them boost their Oregon Arbor Month events. While not pie in the sky, these grants help communities step up their planting efforts, and in many cases are designated for education and youth programs. 

Besides, as we at CRT know, a lot can be done with a little, especially if you have the right people and the right support. “These grants help smaller communities achieve a lot of what they hope to do during Arbor Month, from planting trees to engaging youth in tree-related education and activities,” said Morgan Holen, Chair of OCT’s Grants and Awards Committee. To be eligible for a grant, a community must be a Tree City USA. About 70 Oregon communities meet this standard…an impressive feat. 

Since 2014, OCT has awarded 56 grants to 39 different Oregon Tree City USA communities. This year’s recipients are: Umatilla. OCT is giving $750 to the City for trees, planting supplies, and educational materials to support their Arbor Month celebration. 

Some 130 fifth-grade students at McNary Heights Elementary will be taking part in planting a variety of trees at the local municipal Big River Golf Course on April 28. This is the first grant OCT has made to Umatilla, which has been a Tree City USA for five years.

Klamath Falls 

Klamath Falls is using the $500 it received from OCT to buy a reusable 3’ x 6’ mesh-type banner with grommets and a collapsible aluminum stand with carrying case. The banner will work to increase awareness of urban forestry education. Klamath Falls is also celebrating 20 years as a Tree City USA this year.

Lincoln City 

The OCT is helping Lincoln City Parks and Recreation cover the cost of a native Pacific dogwood to be planted at the Community Center and a sign for the tree. Schoolchildren, teen center patrons and community members will plant the tree and dedicate it. Taft High School students will participate in the planting as well as a contest to name the tree. The Taft Timber, anyone? Forestry students at the high school will also give short talks about the benefits of the trees. The $500 grant will also help pay for contest prizes to support the community’s Arbor Month celebration at the Community Center. Lincoln City has held Tree City USA status for 15 years.

La Grande 

Few Oregon cities have enjoyed Tree City USA status as long as La Grande, at an impressive 33 years. This year the City is receiving $444 for prizes to give to winners of the annual Arbor Day Poster Contest for fourth and fifth-grade students. Students whose art is selected may receive a stainless steel water bottle or a reusable tote bag. The posters will be displayed at La Grande’s public library throughout April to celebrate Oregon Arbor Month.

Newport 

The Monterey cypress are native to only a tiny strip of California coastline. Seafarers have long brought back seeds of this unique  tree to plant in the Newport area, making the trees a highly recognizable feature on this part of the Oregon coast….and is the tree that has launched a thousand postcards in its beauty ☺ 

A number of the cypress were removed during redevelopment projects in the south beach area, so Newport Parks and Recreation  is getting $444 to buy a specimen Monterey cypress. The tree will be planted at the south end of the Yaquina Bay Bridge, which opened in 1936. 

The grant will also cover printing costs for tree-related educational materials. Newport has been a Tree City USA for 11 years. At CRT, we love these grants, because they work at a practical, grass-roots level, and focus as well on education.

Drops that will fill a bucket. 

Because, as they say, for a water drop, the most beautiful house is a leaf…and that’s what these communities are providing.