How to plant trees and build community. Step one: Coordinate with us!

By Andy Meeks

We all know how amazing urban street and yard trees can be: they increase air and water quality, improve neighborhood livability, help mitigate stormwater, boost property values and help beautify neighborhoods. They do a ton, but they don’t plant themselves.

The first step of our volunteer-based neighborhood tree plantings starts with our Neighborhood Coordinators (NCs), the most vital connection to the neighborhoods where we plant trees. NCs are absolutely critical to the mission and success of Friends of Trees by building support among their neighbors who want to see more trees in their neighborhood.  NCs work closely with staff members to help answer questions from tree purchasers, create outreach strategies, and organize planting day logistics.

The final result of our NC's work - new trees, new friends
The final result of an NC's work: new trees, new friends (Matt Krueger)

And we’d love your help! Our annual Neighborhood Coordinator Training will be held on Thursday, July 12, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church at 2828 SE Stephens Street in Portland. (If you are unable to make this date, please let us know and we can arrange an alternate time.)

The most important piece of the equation is the willingness to communicate with your neighbors, get excited about having more trees in your neighborhoods—and, of course, have fun doing it! Don’t worry—no experience is necessary. We’ll train you in all aspects of this role and support you throughout the planting season. We try to build teams of NCs in all of the neighborhoods we work with, so if you have a friend or family member who’s also interested, you can create your own team. More people makes it easier and more fun!

The potluck lunch is a signature part of our planting events, and NCs help make it happen! (FOT file)

If you’re interested in learning more, please pre-register for the training by filling out this form.

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The following neighborhoods are our top priority for NC recruitment. They currently do not have a Neighborhood Coordinator in place and we’d really love to train and build some new teams in these places:

  • Argay
  • Brooklyn
  • Boise
  • Grant Park
  • Montavilla
  • Mt. Tabor
  • Overlook
  • Parkrose
  • Parkrose Heights
  • Russell
  • South Tabor
  • Sumner
  • University Park
  • Wilkes
  • Woodstock
  • Arnada (Vancouver)
  • Burnt Bridge Creek (Vancouver)
  • Hough (Vancouver)
  • Rose Village (Vancouver)
  • Vancouver Heights (Vancouver)

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Please CLICK HERE to pre-register.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact Andy or Jenny in the Volunteer & Outreach Program at 503-595-0213. We hope you can join us!

— Meeks is the Volunteer & Outreach Manager at Friends of Trees.