Dear Mayor Hales

Dear Mayor Hales:

I am a crew leader for Friends of Trees, and through that experience have gained a deep understanding of all the ecosystems services tree planting provides the city of Portland and the larger Metro community. I do remember you attending a planting last spring and speaking with enthusiasm about the program, so I know you also get the importance of the work done by Friends of Trees and the need for funding such work.

I have recently completed a Master’s in Environmental Studies, and am offering two of my articles for use in convincing any committee of the importance and cost-effectiveness of the Friends of Trees program. I hope the research I’ve done will help convince those who are less aware of the importance of tree planting as part of the city’s infrastructure.

Portland is a unique city in that it has a smart and aggressive Climate Action Plan, one that includes the use of a green infrastructure. I don’t see how any council or committee can vote to cut funds to programs such as the Grey to Green Initiative and Friends of Trees with plans such as this as working documents of city government.

While conducting my research I came across an old House Bill that, should it have passed, would have garnered $.25 from each vehicle registration fee for funding of a municipal tree planting program. I hope that this type of innovative thinking can carry forward and serve to sustain funding for Friends of Trees partnerships.

Thank you, Mr. Hales, for taking time to read my plea. I hope you can put to good use my research. The articles entitled “So Much Depends on a Tree…” and “Planting for Global Cooling” are most relevant. You’ll find them by following this link: http://standoftrees.wordpress.com/

Sincerely,

Neva Knott