Best Ever Portland Arbor Day Festival this Saturday!

Bob Naito introducing the 2012 Bill Naito Awards (Kris Day)

By Kris Day

Join all manner of tree lovers in the South Park Blocks on April 20th in conjunction with the PSU Farmer’s Market to celebrate Portland’s urban forest and the great community of folks who support it.

The festivities will span the duration of the market’s hours (from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm), with the 2013 Bill Naito Community Trees Award ceremony commencing at 10:00 am. There will be 15 informational tables and staffers, as well as three activity tents for learners of all ages!

Meet local urban forestry and design professionals and learn how they envision growing and maintaining our city’s trees. Get to know the local volunteer groups that help care for Portland’s trees. Learn more about Heritage Trees and their legacies, and find out how you can get involved.

Tomorrow's tree stewards at the 2012 Arbor Day celebration

For a special prize, visit any one of Portland’s 300 Heritage Trees, take a photo of you with the tree, and either tag it with #pdxtrees or post it to facebook.com/treestrewards. Visit the Neighborhood Tree Stewards table and show your handiwork to receive your “treesure.”

Check out what else is going on during Arbor Month on the Portland Parks & Recreation website.

–Day is Neighborhood Trees & Green Space Initiative Senior Specialist for Friends of Trees.