Preparing the way for today’s public kickoff along the I-205 Multi-Use Path

By Anne Mavor

Though today’s planting at SE 92nd and Division was the public kickoff for the 2010-11 season of I-205 plantings, Portland Waldorf School joined Friends of Trees to plant the first trees at the site two weeks ago. The October 23 planting was the school’s first annual planting with Friends of Trees.

In the four hours of work, about 30 parents, students and teachers planted 90 trees on the slope between a cluster of apartment buildings and the multi-use path. As Portland Waldorf School parent and organizer Fred Schwoebel said, “It was a very satisfying feeling to stand back and see our collective efforts transform a bare slope into what will grow into a beautiful corridor designed for folks to experience on bikes and on foot.”

Fred came up with the idea to plant with Friends of Trees along the multi-use path after volunteering both at school work parties and at plantings with Friends of Trees. He wondered how much could be accomplished by bringing together the work force and enthusiasm of Portland Waldorf School parents, students and teachers with Friends of Trees.

Planting the I-205 corridor is ideal since it is a long-term project and needs lots of helping hands. In the future, Fred hopes for an even larger turnout since the people who came had such fun. “Next year each person who came can bring a new person.”

Everyone worked hard, including the fifth graders from Nancy Peirce’s class. They dug holes, cleared three-foot grass strips around each tree, laid down burlap and bark mulch, and staked each tree so it would withstand the winds rushing down I-205.

“It was fun to plant with my buddies.” Nancy said.

This annual events aligns with Portland Waldorf School’s goal of expanding student involvement in service. For the past 25 years, students in grades 1-8 have participated in a Knit-a-thon, which produced beautiful afghans to give away.

High school students are required to complete two service projects each year, in addition to participating in the April high school service day, when teachers work alongside students for Milwaukie-area nonprofits.

Friends of Trees, the Oregon Department of Transportation, and Metro have partnered to plant thousands of trees along the 16.5-mile I-205 multi-use path. Numerous other agencies, businesses, neighborhood groups, and schools have joined the greening effort.

The 2010-11 planting season is the second year of the three-year project to green the path and the transportation corridor. Join us for one of the 12 upcoming plantings along the path!

–Anne Mavor handles publication and communications for Portland Waldorf School