City of Vancouver + Charles Ray = More Trees!
By Katie Neis
Over the bridge and across the river something wonderful is happening. Just look … at all the new trees downtown, at the large trees lining the boulevards of Fort Vancouver, at freshly planted trees placed neatly in front of homes.
One tree at a time, the City of Vancouver is adding more and more canopy each year while protecting the mature trees that make the city unique. Spearheading this endeavor is Charles Ray, the city’s urban forester for the past nine years.
Charles doesn’t run on a typical time table. One of his biggest strengths is something he might just be learning from the trees—that you can’t look ahead to the next 10 or 20 years, you need think hundreds of years ahead, similarly to the life span of the trees. Human infrastructure such as sidewalks, water lines, and power lines are forever changing, while trees are a constant. It’s this outlook that sets the stage for the future of the city.
At Friends of Trees, we are very thankful to work with such a passionate and knowledgeable partner. In 2010, Charles was awarded the 2010 International Society of Arboriculture PAC NW Arborist of the Year, and this past summer he was a coordinator for the ISA’s International Conference.
Charles’s passion for Vancouver’s trees started back in 2001 when he worked for the city. In 2003, he was awarded the position of the city’s urban forester.
“In a nutshell, our program strives to maximize benefits trees provide such as clean air and water while minimizing conflicts to assure a healthy, green Vancouver, with community support and participation,” says Charles. “We perform and resolve complex and politically sensitive issues, complete reforestation projects, and we provide public outreach and, of course, code and regulatory enforcement.”
Working side-by-side with his crack team of urban forestry experts, Charles protects and enhances Vancouver’s tree canopy. Vancouver presents a uniquely challenging landscape. As one of the fastest growing communities in Washington, new development puts enormous pressure on trees and the community.
Charles focuses on education as one of his best practices. Urban Forestry’s “Think Before You Top. Get the Facts” campaign taught the community about the damaging practice of topping. He’s also very enthusiastic about teaching each year’s AmeriCorps member everything he can about the city and urban trees.
On the home front, Charles, his wife Tonya, and their daughter Elida recently welcomed a new healthy baby boy, Arlis, to their family. When Charles isn’t out saving the world one tree at a time, he’s spending time with Arlis or in the garden looking for bugs with Miss Elida, or enjoying a good cup of coffee while listening to music.
It’s refreshing to work with someone who enjoys life and work, and who’s always thinking about what’s best for the trees. It also makes it possible to plant a healthy city forest.
Friends of Trees recently signed a three-year contract with the City of Vancouver to increase the number of new trees we’re planting there. It’s a partnership deeply rooted in thinking hundreds of years ahead, like the lifespan of the trees.
–Neis is Neighborhood Trees Assistant for Friends of Trees.