Green Space Initiative

photo: Chijo Takeda

Friends of Trees' Green Space Initiative program guides volunteers at weekend projects to restore public green spaces and transportation corridors throughout the Portland-Vancouver metro area.

In partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation and Metro, Friends of Trees launched a three-year project this year to plant thousands of trees and shrubs along the I-205 Multi-Use Path. Used by bicyclists, pedestrians and TriMet travelers, the 16.5-mile path runs parallel to I-205 from the Columbia River in North Portland south to the city of Gladstone.

The I-205 greening project will reduce air-pollution, increase neighborhood livability, provide habitat for wildlife and songbirds, and beautify a well-traveled transportation corridor.

Read about the project in The Oregonian, the Portland Tribune, Mid-County Memo, and East PDX News, or watch videos from the kick-off planting and the Jan. 23 planting.

The I-205 greening project received funding through a $410,000 Nature in Neighborhoods grant from Metro's 2006 voter-approved Natural Areas bond measure and generous support from the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and area businesses, including J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co., Portland General Electric, IKEA, Cantel Sweeping, and Collier Arbor Care. Project partner Verde will provide summer maintenance of the planting sites.

As part of the project, 16 new green jobs were created for under-served and minority residents. Read about Assistant Leadership Corps Members Antonio Askew, Lovie Sanders, and Lavette Lacy. They and seven other Urban Renewal Area-funded Assistant Leadership Corps members are guiding volunteers at Friends of Trees' weekend community plantings along the I-205 Multi-Use Path. Assistant Leadership Corps members are Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (Portland OIC) trainees whose jobs were created through a partnership between the Portland Development Commission (PDC) and Worksystems, Inc.

In addition, six URA-funded Field Crew Technicians, guided by Friends of Trees' Field Crew Supervisor, are planting trees and shrubs along the I-205 Multi-Use Path at weekday work sessions. The Field Crew Technicians are Portland OIC employees whose jobs were created through a partnership between the PDC and Worksystems, Inc.

This colorful flyer provides more information about the project.

Through Friends of Trees' Green Space Initiative, volunteers restore green spaces across the metro area by planting native trees and shrubs in fall and winter, and by removing invasive plants and watering the new trees and shrubs the following summer. Friends of Trees works with public agencies and friends groups to plan community planting projects from November through March. Crew leaders guide small groups of planters at each event.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome, and no experience is necessary. Friends of Trees provides gloves, tools and guidance. Join us!