Contractor Development Program
The Contractor Development Program is designed to foster partnerships between Urban Forestry and contractors, with a special emphasis on engaging businesses from underrepresented communities. This initiative aims to create equitable access to contracting opportunities, empowering businesses of all sizes to play an active role in sustaining Portland's urban forest.
By partnering with a diverse range of contractors, we strengthen both the urban canopy and the local economy, promoting inclusivity in the workforce. Whether you're a small business or a large-scale operation, there are opportunities for collaboration that benefit Portland's green infrastructure and the communities it serves.
Get Involved as a Contractor
Urban Forestry is committed to partnering with contractors who are passionate about growing Portland's urban canopy. Whether you're a large contractor or just starting out, there are opportunities to engage in impactful projects across the city.
- Diverse Opportunities: We offer contracts that accommodate a wide range of skills and capacities.
- Inclusive Engagement: While we actively seek partnerships with COBID-certified firms, we also welcome contractors who are not certified. Our goal is to create pathways for all contractors, helping businesses of every size contribute to Portland's green infrastructure.
- Support for Growth: We connect contractors with the right resources to help them thrive in our projects and grow their business, ensuring long-term success and development in partnership with Urban Forestry.
Contracting Opportunities
Urban Forestry currently offers contracting opportunities in the areas of tree procurement, planting, establishment, pruning, and community outreach. These projects are crucial for maintaining and expanding Portland's tree canopy. We encourage contractors certified by the Certificate Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID) and those who may not be certified to participate in the following upcoming opportunities:
- Tree Procurement, Planting & Establishment - Invitation to Bid (ITB) anticipated for release in March 2025.
Yard Tree Giveaway Contract Partnerships
Urban Forestry is now accepting applications from organizations that can help us achieve our goal of planting 4,000 trees on private properties across Portland this year as part of our Yard Tree Giveaway program. We are offering two partnership opportunities: Promotion Partners ($5,000) and Registration Ambassadors ($10,000).
Applications are due by April 18, 2025.
Where Urban Forestry Work Happens
Urban Forestry's efforts span across several key areas of the city. These are the primary programs where contractors play a vital role:
- Free Street Trees (FST): Trees planted in the public right-of-way along streets. Planting is focused in priority service areas where trees are needed the most. Street trees are watered, weeded, and maintained by City contractors for three years after planting.
- Private Property Trees (PPT): Tree planting projects on private properties, contributing to overall canopy goals.
- Learning Landscapes: Transforming schools and educational areas into green spaces. Learning Landscapes improves educational spaces by offering valuable learning opportunities for students through tree planting. In collaboration with contractors, the program enhances these efforts by planting additional trees and ensuring successful establishment.
Portland Clean Energy Fund
Urban Forestry collaborates with the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) to ensure that contractors meet specific equity-based standards. PCEF is instrumental in promoting sustainable development and providing equitable access to contracting opportunities. A key initiative under this fund is the Equitable Tree Canopy program. This program emphasizes community engagement and aims to ensure that underrepresented communities benefit from this initiative.
For more information on PCEF-funded projects for workers and contractors, check out the links below.
Workforce and Contractor Guidance: