Nominations are open for 2025 Bill Naito Community Trees Award.
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
2024 Bill Naito Community Trees Award
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.
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.