The Neighborhood Tree Steward Program is a FREE program offered by Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry. This program is for community members that want to learn more about trees and also want to give back to their community.
Some of the things you will learn by participating:
- how to identify trees
- how to plant and care for trees
- why our city’s trees are important for people and our planet
- opportunities to work or volunteer
This program is Free! All we ask is that after completing the program, you share your new skills and knowledge by contributing 20 hours of time to volunteer events and activities.
The 2024 Neighborhood Tree Stewards Program consists of 5 in-person classes that meet every 2nd and 4th Saturday from July through mid-September. In each class, expert instructors will teach you everything you need to know about trees through a combination of classroom sessions and field training.
Classes will be held at various locations in N, NE, and SE Portland- all easily accessible by public transportation and bike.
To participate, you must be able to attend all class sessions.
Applications are no longer being accepted for the summer session.
Learn more about the program here.
Week One - Portland’s Urban Forest
Overview
Learn about trees and tree protections in the city
Classroom Session
Saturday, July 13, from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location to be determined.
- What is Urban Forestry?
- Why are trees important?
- How do we protect our city trees?
- What are the challenges to growing and preserving our urban forest?
Week Two - Tree Biology and Care
Overview
Learn tree identification and maintenance needs
Classroom Session
Saturday, July 27, from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location to be determined.
- What is a tree?
- Tree Identification
- Tree Pruning, Care, and Maintenance for Longevity
- Pests and Pathogens
Week Three - Shade Equity in the Urban Forest
Overview
Planting trees where they are needed most
Class Session
Saturday, August 10, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location to be determined.
- Shade Equity and Environmental Justice
- Different Cultural Values of Trees
- Concerns about Trees
Week Four - Trees in the City
Project Overview
Exploring the tree connections with wildlife, wellness, and green cities
Class Session
Saturday, August 24, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location to be determined.
- Tree Connections with Birds, Insects, and Mushrooms
- Tree Activities for Wellness
- Designing Your Own Park
Week Five - Growing our Urban Forest
Project Overview
Learn about the many groups working to grow and protect our urban forest
Class Session
Saturday, September 14, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location to be determined.
- Tree Education and Jobs in the City
- Meet Partners in the Urban Forest
- Urban Forestry Tree Planting Programs
Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry's mission is to manage and ensure Portland's urban forest infrastructure for current and future generations. Portland’s urban forest consists of 236,000 street trees, 1.2 million park trees, and innumerable private property trees. Urban Forestry is involved in managing or regulating all of these trees to differing degrees. Urban Forestry staff issue permits for planting, pruning, removal of all public and some private trees, and are on call 24/7 to respond to tree emergencies. For more information on Urban Forestry at portland.gov/trees.