Having fun restoring Forest Park

In snow, rain and sun, nearly 50 volunteers planted 500 native trees to restore a new part of Forest Park on Saturday, February 18.

“It was fun!” the PCC Landscape Club wrote on its Facebook page. “Jerrad won a pair of Hi-Tec hiking boots during the raffles, too. Sweet. Activities like these are great. You get to be outdoors, breathe in fresh air, meet other plant nerds, tree huggers and environmentalists, and do something good for the earth while burning calories (and gaining some back with the donuts, cakes and coffee).”

Hi-Tec Sports USA, which sponsored the planting and provided the photos above, raffled off three pairs of boots and a couple of rain jackets at the end of the planting. The company, which just established its US headquarters in Portland last year, also gave every volunteer a $20 gift certificate and a hat.

“Friends of Trees is an amazing organization and the epitome of what makes Portland such a special place to work and live,” said Bill Berta, General Manager, Hi-Tec USA. “Their work not only makes our city streets and neighborhoods more beautiful, but it also improves the health of our environment and outdoor playgrounds. We’re proud to partner with them and help support their important work.”

Fred Nilsen, Friends of Trees board member and crew leader, added an extra bonus to the morning. Formerly natural resources supervisor for Portland Parks & Recreation, Fred not only guided a crew of volunteers at the planting, but he also offered everyone at the planting a little Forest Park history and perspective on the new property being restored.

Thank you, Hi-Tec Sports USA, for kicking off your generous four-year sponsorship of Friends of Trees’ Green Space Initiative plantings at Saturday’s event, and thank you, Portland Parks & Recreation, for being our planting partner on Saturday.

And thank you to all who planted with us. A new part of Forest Park now has 500 new Douglas-firs, Western redcedars, snowberries, Western hemlocks, Oregon grapes, vine maples and Indian plums because of you.

–TR