Portland Celebrates a Tree-mendous 2025 Arbor Day

News Article

Community, Canopy, and Champions Honored

(Portland, Oregon) -

Portland Parks & Recreation(PP&R)'s Urban Forestrydivision marked a successful 2025 Portland Arbor Day celebration with a vibrant, family-friendly event centered on community, learning, and environmental stewardship.

Held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Sacajawea Head Start in the heart of the Cully neighborhood, this year's Arbor Day event brought together neighbors, environmental organizations, and community leaders to celebrate Portland's trees and the people who care for them.

Each year, Portland Arbor Day moves to a different neighborhood to highlight the city's diverse tree canopy and recognize local efforts to grow and care for it. In partnership with leadership from Sacajawea Head Start, the 2025 celebration welcomed autumn with a day full of activities, learning, and hands-on stewardship for learners, their families, and Cully neighbors.

This year's Arbor Day featured a ceremony for the recipients of the 2025 Bill Naito Community Trees Awards, a highlight of the day.

Jeanne Norwood (L) and Pastor Kenneth Ransfer (R) accepted the Naito Community Trees Group Award, on behalf of Morning Star Baptist Church, for their PCEF funded work, in partnership with DePave, at the 2025 Arbor Day Celebration.

2025 Bill Naito Community Trees AwardWinners

Named in honor of Bill Naito (1925-1996) - civic leader, philanthropist, and founder of Portland's Urban Forestry Commission - the awards recognize individuals and groups making outstanding contributions to Portland's urban forest.

Individual Award: Dr. Vivek Shandas
For nearly a decade of service on the Urban Forestry Commission (2015-2023) and for his groundbreaking research on the link between tree canopy, urban heat, and public health.

Dr. Shandas is a Professor of Geography and Director of the Sustaining Urban Places Research (SUPR) Lab at Portland State University. His work has been featured in the New York Times, NPR, OPB, and other national outlets.

"Professor Shandas has documented and publicized the importance of trees to the urban environment," wrote nominator Marita Ingalsbe. "His research has contributed to a new understanding of the connection between urban tree canopy and the effects of climate change."

Group Award: Morning Star Baptist Church
For transforming a 15,000 square foot asphalt parking lot into a lush, accessible green space in the Cully neighborhood.

Funding for this project came in part from Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund(PCEF).

In partnership with Depave, the church added:

• 33 trees,
• 700+ perennial plants,
• 14 accessible raised garden beds, and
• a 5,500 square foot food garden.

This multi-year effort provides healthy outdoor space for neighbors, children, and future generations.

"Morning Star's work exemplifies environmental justice and community-driven change," said Nik Desai, a PP&R Urban Forestry staff member. "They've turned concrete into community, expanding the urban canopy where it's needed most."

Other Portland Arbor Day Event Highlights Included:

• Tree planting: Volunteers planted 15 young trees at Sacajawea Head Start, bringing more shade, cleaner air, and beauty to the neighborhood.
• Yard Tree Giveaway: Over 300 trees were distributed to residents for planting in their yards.
• Community booths: Guests connected with local organizations including Multnomah County REACH, Greater Northwest Community Health Collective, Verde NW, Oregon WIC, Portland Public Schools Early Learners, Cully Association of Neighbors, and the Multnomah County Library.
• Hands-on fun: Families enjoyed tree-themed games, crafts and book exchange, storytelling, and tasty local food.
• Education: Visitors explored Portland's Tree Inventory Dashboard and Tree Inventory Map, learning more about public trees in city parks, streets, and the newly updatedPortland Urban Forest Plan.
• Proclamation & Awards: The celebration featured the Portland Arbor Day Proclamation and recognized the city's continued status as a Tree City USA for the 48th consecutive year.

Yard Tree Giveaway

Continue celebrating Arbor Day this season with free trees. Register herefor up to three free yard trees. You are encouraged to register soon as spots are filling up quickly!

About PP&R Urban Forestry

The Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestrydivision's mission is to manage and ensure Portland's urban forest infrastructure for current and future generations. Portland's urban forest is valued at around $9.6 billion and is made up of more than 1.2 million park trees, 330,000 street trees, and 2.9 million private property trees. The Urban Forestry team is responsible for the overall management, stewardship, and improvement of this essential infrastructure system. Urban Forestry staff's work includes delivery of sustainable and equitable forest services to all Portlanders; establishing and enacting best management practices, plans, policies, and technical standards for tree care and protection and urban forest expansion; proposing improvements to the City's tree regulations; providing tree maintenance services including 24/7 response to emergencies on City properties and public streets; tree planting and expansion of urban forest services; measurement and assessment of urban forest coverage, health, and services; offering community education and stewardship programs and partnerships; and oversight and support of the City's volunteer advisory tree board. Portland has been recognized as aTree City USAmember for 48 years and counting; a Tree City of the World; and the Urban Forestry program isaccreditedby the Urban and Community Forestry Society.

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