Oregon Community Trees conference 2025

​Notes: Oregon Community Trees conference May 15, 2025, Eugene
                                    (Neal Lemery)
 
                  This one day conference was hosted by Oregon Community Trees, a non-profit that provides resources to governments and non profits on urban tree planting and urban forestry. https://www.oregoncommunitytrees.org
                  Kaaren Knutson, Mayor of Eugene.  Attention is the currency of leadership. We have a responsibility to not ignore injustice and exclusivity.  
                  Keynote: Christine Carmichael, Ph D. author of Racist Roots: How Racism Has Affected Trees and People in our Cities—And What We Can Do About It.  I bought this book and will give one copy to the Tillamook County Library. She shared data that shows systematic racism and economic disparity in neighborhoods, that matches tree planting statistics.  Urban tree planting is directly linked to extreme temperatures in summer due to climate change. Poor areas and area with high populations of minorities have fewer trees and higher temperatures. Tree equity.  There is a 12 degree temperature difference between poor areas and other areas in cities.  Her organization: Fairforest.com
 
                  We need to practice biodiversity.  There are studies and projects utilizing a wide range of trees suitable for urban areas and summer heat.  
                  In 2025, the Trump administration cut $2.6 Billion in federal funding for urban tree planting and maintenance. 
                  Arbor Foundation. Their book on “Heritage Narrative”. 
                  Doris Duke Foundation
                  The Garden of Healing is a group of parents of murdered children, which plants urban trees. 
                  Our Community Forestry. https://www.ourcommunityforestry.org. This non-profit was established in Talent, near Medford after the Almeda Fire several years ago, to replant trees and restore neighborhoods.  They design and implement tree planting projects and collaborate with other non profits and governments.  They have a comprehensive tree catalog and are identifying suitable trees that cope with climate change and challenging planting situations.  They have three pillars: teamwork, community, and networking with other green organizations.  Their program: Trees for All, is a statewide information network.  They have a monthly newsletter.  https://ourcf.org
                  Rogue Reconnaissance .  A private consulting firm using drones and lidar to map tree plantings and forests, gathering data and making planting and caretaking strategies. 
Oregon Dept. of Forestry. Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program. 
Trees in the Curb Zone.  City of Portland’s efforts to plant trees.  City Code is that property owners maintain trees, but this program has the city maintaining trees.  City works with neighborhoods and property owners to design planting areas, select trees, and schedule maintenance.  City now has engineering plans for all aspects of the planting, which is available. https://portland.gov/transportation/planning/trees-curb-zone .
Other Ideas.

• Trees as infrastructure
• Urban settings in terms of tree canopies, dealing with climate change
• Looking at new-to-us species. A diverse catalog of tree choices
• Relationship with home owners, neighborhoods. Education, collaboration.
• Educating kids, community groups.

Other Resources
                  Oregon Forest Resources Institute.  https://oregonforests.org/
Lots of free booklets and information. 
                  The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet, Nadina Galle.  This newly published book was the talk of the conference and people were eagerly buying it.  I bought two copies and will give one to the county library.  The author is one of the national leaders in urban forestry.