TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Peter Fernandez, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
title
Friends of Trees Annual Report
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
end
ISSUE:
A report summarizing tree planning projects in Salem during 2017-18 planting season.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Information Only
body
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:
In August, 2013, the City Council adopted the Community Forestry Strategic Plan. One of the key goals in this plan is to increase the overall tree canopy in Salem from 18 percent to 23 percent. Beginning in 2013 and to assist in implementing this goal, the City of Salem has contracted with the non-profit group “Friends of Trees” (FOT). The attached report summarizes the tree planting and community engagement conducted under this contract for the 2017/18 planting season.
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
Over the past five years the City and FOT have worked together to identify areas for tree planting, train volunteers, and engage residents with the goal of increasing tree canopy, especially in areas of the city where there is a low tree canopy. FOT is a uniquely qualified partner in this effort as they have worked with other cities in the Willamette Valley and have the expertise to select the best trees for the sites, train volunteers, organize planting events, conduct outreach, and provide tree establishment services to ensure planted trees survive.
Beginning in 2013, FOT and the Public Works Department have hosted tree planting events in North East Salem Community Area, Morningside, Northgate, Lansing, East Lancaster, North Lancaster, Faye Wright, West Salem, Southeast Mill Creek, Central Area, South Central, and Southwest Area neighborhoods.
In the 2017/18 planting season there were seven events, with a total of 66 large trees and 7,900 shrubs planted. These events had over 800 volunteers participating. During this season, the Minto Island Conservation Area trail sides were planted, and plantings were done along Hollywood Drive near McKay High School, Weathers Park, Eola Ridge Park, Judson Middle School, and the Salem Audubon property in west Salem. The City’s annual Arbor Day event was held at Weathers Park on April 7, 2018, and 223 volunteers worked to beautify the park and increase the local tree canopy.
The City will continue to plan and host tree planting events with FOT next planting season, which will begin in November, 2018.
Robert D. Chandler, PhD, PE
Assistant Public Works Director
Attachment:
1. Friends of Trees Annual Report 2017-18