Blumenauer talks urban forestry agenda

Partners in Community Forestry 2009

National Arbor Day Foundation Conference: Nov. 10

Speaking to the general session at the National Arbor Day Conference, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) stressed the importance of urban forestry and implored the attendees to “take it up a notch” in fighting for carbon legislation.

The lifelong Portlander and former city commissioner mentioned the success in Portland with historic trees, aggressive street tree planting and the adoption of local policies that protect the urban canopy, all under the example umbrella of what should be done nation wide.

“We need to squeeze more value out of every public dollar that is invested—we can’t afford to waste them,” said the representative of Oregon’s 3rd district.

Listing appropriate landscaping and the practice of urban forestry as “absolutely essential” elements of ‘greenfrastucture,’ Blumenauer also said these practices are perhaps the least expensive ways to deal with the impacts of climate change.

Using the prism of our current economics, the congressman called the urban forestry industry one that can effect a broad array of people in every community, while also noting these green jobs and investments can not be outsourced to Kamchatka or China.

“Home values are enhanced by appropriate landscaping and especially street trees,” he said.

“A business that is in a shaded business district, on average, has 10 percent higher sales. This is real money to real people. Improving the quality of life and bolstering economic activity.”

–Toshio Suzuki