Tree-care events coming up soon

GSI volunteers at work
Green Space Initiative volunteers at work (FOT file)

By Andrew Land

Our Green Space Initiative (GSI) team just wrapped up a landmark year, having held 43% more plantings than last season, resulting in 71% more trees and native plants added to our local network of parks and natural areas.

Now that the young flora is situated, our next task is to protect the plants from invasive species that could threaten their survival. Native plants should do well in this climate. Unfortunately, our climate is also very hospitable to competitive non-natives, such as English Ivy, Himalayan blackberries, and invasive varieties from the genus Clematis.

To give our native plants the advantage, we are looking for volunteers interested in helping us at any of four tree-care events that we have scheduled. We’ll show you how to identify native plants so you are able to remove only the invasive plant species. No previous experience is necessary, and it’s an excellent way to enjoy the warmer spring weather while protecting our local environment.

If you’re interested in helping, below are the dates for the events we will be holding this month:

Saturday, May 7–Happy Valley Park, Happy Valley (map)

  • Please arrive by 8:45 am to sign in and enjoy breakfast snacks.

Saturday, May 14–Memorial Park, Wilsonville (map)

  • Pre-registration is required for this event. Just follow this link to register.
  • The City of Wilsonville is offering both a free T-shirt and an omelet and pancake breakfast for anyone willing to help.
  • Please arrive by 8:00 am for breakfast and to sign-in.

Saturday, May 21–Forest Park, Portland (map)

  • Pre-registration is required. Please register online here.
  • Please arrive by 8:45 am.

Saturday, June 4–Durham City Park, Durham

  • Please arrive by 8:45 am to sign in and enjoy breakfast snacks.

We realize that our goals are ambitious, which is why we’re so grateful for our volunteers’ support. Whether you’re a veteran FOT volunteer or would be  joining us for the first time, we’d love to have you come out and pitch in at any of these events.

If you need more information, feel free to contact Andrew Land in our Volunteer & Outreach Program.

Land is the Volunteer and Outreach Specialist at Friends of Trees:  503-282-8846 ext. 18, [email protected].