FOT on Campus: A Perspective from the University of Portland

By Charles Datulayta

At the University of Portland, Friends of Trees has become rooted in the campus community. This last planting season, seven students trained for the role of crew leader to guide weekend planting volunteers, and volunteering as a tree planter has become a common interest in everyday conversations and service project boards alike. Since its partnership with the University through the Moreau Center in 2011, Friends of Trees has been chosen by five student clubs and more than 250 students, resulting in over a thousand volunteer hours being committed to expanding the metro region’s urban canopy.

On February 16, more than 50 University of Portland Pilots came out to help plant 200 trees during the  University Park, Cathedral Park, and St. Johns neighborhood planting. They had fun, met neighbors, made connections, and, at the end of the day, the streets of North Portland went to sleep with the comforting company of 200 new trees. This planting only fueled more interest in planting trees and getting Pilots out volunteering in our community!

Over the past few seasons, the University has purchased trees to plant at its rental properties in the neighborhood surrounding campus. Student volunteers have come to realize that they are also planting trees at their professors’ and university staff homes and appreciate those connections.

Sophomore Matt Gadbois said, “I always sign up for Friends of Trees plantings because I can’t believe what a good effect the organization has on our environment. But what really motivates me to get up early in the morning for a planting is knowing that I will get away from campus to meet and work with lots of cool people and eat amazing local food.”

— Datulaya is the Friends of Trees Campus Volunteer Coordinator at University of Portland, as well as volunteer crew leader in the Neighborhood Trees and Green Space Initiative programs.