2020 Bill Naito Community Trees Award Recipients

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2020 Bill Naito Community Trees Award Winners: Tree Emergency Response Team & Linda Robinson
The Bill Naito Award was created to honor the stories of individuals, organizations or projects that have continued Bill's work and reflect his dedication. Together, these stories weave a picture of our community's dedication to Portland's urban forest heritage.
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Presented by the Urban Forestry Commission (UFC), the Naito Awards honor an Individual and a Group that exemplify the spirit of Bill Naito, founder of the UFC and champion of our urban forest.

Winner of the Individual Award: Linda Robinson

Bill Naito Community Trees Award Recipient 2020 - Linda Robinson
Bill Naito Community Trees Award Recipient 2020 - Linda Robinson

Linda has been an advocate for Portland parks for many years, and a vocal advocate for trees for all.

As the primary leader of the East Portland Parks Coalition (EPPC), she manages an active group promoting, protecting, and advancing the expansion of parks in East Portland.

As a community partner, Linda has been working with PP&R Urban Forestry on a number of projects planting new trees in parks. She tirelessly met with them and always attended public events to show the support of EPPC.

A long-term resident of East Portland, she knows the area and is vested in its growth of green infrastructure.

Her voluntary work with PP&R has advanced projects and opened many doors within the community to a greener Portland.

Winner of the Group Award: Tree Emergency Response Team

Tree Emergency Response Team painting a tree at risk for removal due to development.
Tree Emergency Response Team painting a tree at risk for removal due to development.

The Tree Emergency Response Team brings awareness to trees that may be at risk of being removed during development.

Their approach to accomplish this great task is a unique one – through art. Artists paint trees at sites that have been selected for their vulnerability to potential development.

By engaging the public, property owner, or even a developer to the beauty and community surrounding these trees, their hope is that the trees can be incorporated into a design instead of being removed.

The Tree Emergency Response Team has brought attention to several trees in Portland and at least one tree still stands.

Artists rallied around the Oak tree at 7410 N Chicago Ave in the St Johns neighborhood and the developer agreed it was a valuable asset to the community.

In addition to tree painting events, the team holds postcard campaigns, rallies, and encourages the public to voice their concerns – gaining media attention for their efforts as well.

About the Naito Award

The Urban Forestry Commission created this annual award in honor of the builder and community leader who did so much to beautify Portland with trees.

Bill Naito rarely missed an Urban Forestry Commission meeting, which he founded in 1974 and chaired until his death. No one in Portland had been more tenacious than Bill at encouraging the planting of trees.

Through his humor, persistence, and imaginative approach to projects, he inspired many individuals to recognize the beauty trees bring to our city. The Bill Naito Community Trees Award is presented to individuals, organizations or projects that have continued Bill's work and reflect his dedication.

For more information, please contact: UFVolunteers@portlandoregon.gov.