The 2024 Bill Naito Community Trees Award honors the Legendary Mr. Ed Washington.
Mr. Ed Washington is a local civil rights hero and champion for our Urban Forest. He served as chair of the Urban Forestry Commission from 1998 until 2006- a pivotal time in Portland history when groundwork leading to the development of Title 11, Portland’s first City Tree Code, was underway.
Much like the Mr. Naito, Mr. Washington’s work with the Urban Forestry Commission forged a new path for urban forest management, creating awareness and support for urban forestry initiatives of tree preservation and canopy growth- especially as related to existing canopy inequities.
Through the course of his life spanning nearly nine decades, Mr. Washington has not just witnessed change but been a part of it, too. As a leader, his work in support of environmental justice and human rights is impressive. Currently the Director of Community Outreach & Engagement in the Office of Global Diversity & Inclusion at Portland State University, he has also served as past President of the Portland Chapter of the NAACP and ten years in the elected position of Metro Councilor.
To this day, he still is very active as a volunteer, sharing his stories and inspiring generations to lead and engage with their communities.
Join us for presentation of the award at Urban Forestry's Arbor Day celebration on October 12th 2024 at Glenfair Park.
Tree planting at 10am, award presentation and festivities begin at noon.
Yard Tree Giveaway 8:30am-2pm. Register here!
About the Bill Naito Community Trees Award
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.
The recipients of the Bill Naito award should be an individual or group whose volunteer work in planting, preservation, or stewardship is recognized by the community as extraordinary. Volunteer work is done without pay and not as part of any employment.
Eligibility for the Bill Naito Award
This award recognizes those whose work, like Bill's, has enhanced Portland's urban forest and inspired others to recognize the beauty and benefits of trees. Specific projects that have creatively addressed the opportunities for tree planting or tree preservation are also eligible to receive an award.
Two awards are dedicated annually:
- Individual
- Groups or Institutions
Work must be completed within the City of Portland.
How to Nominate
The nomination period for the 2024 Naito Award has closed.
2023 Bill Naito Community Trees Award
Connecting Canopies Receives 2023 Bill Naito Community Trees Award for promoting environmental justice and a more diverse green movement and workforce through their youth career development program, quarterly regional forums, and regular engagement activities for the region’s BIPOC community.
Past Bill Naito Community Trees Award Recipients
History of the Bill Naito Award
Portland's Urban Forestry Commission created the annual Bill Naito award in honor of the late builder and community leader who did so much to beautify Portland with trees. He rarely missed an Urban Forestry Commission meeting, which he founded in 1974 and chaired until his death.
Bill was especially devoted to Portland's trees. Through his humor, persistence and imaginative approach to projects, he inspired many individuals to recognize the beauty trees bring to our city.
Did you know? The sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) was UFC founder and commissioner Bill Naito's favorite tree!
About Portland Parks & Recreation UrbanForestry
The mission of PP&R’s Urban Forestry (UF) division is to manage and care for Portland's tree infrastructure in the City for current and future generations. Portland’s urban forest consists of 220,000 street trees, 1.2 million park trees, and innumerable private property trees. The Urban Forestry division is involved in managing or regulating these trees. UF created and implements the City of Portland's Urban Forest Management Plan, fosters community tree awareness and stewardship, develops tree policies and programs, monitors and assesses Portland’s urban forest, and issues permits for planting, pruning, and removal of public and some private trees. During extreme weather at all times of the year, UF crews respond to tree emergencies to keep you safe and the City moving.
For more information on Urban Forestry at portland.gov/trees.