Congrats to the Neighborhood Tree Stewards Class of 2025

Saturday, June 21, the 2025 cohort of Neighborhood Tree Stewards (NTS) graduated, joining a network of 500 alumni. NTS is an opportunity for a diverse group of Portland residents to come together to learn about the urban forest. Over the course of seven weeks, Tree Stewards gathered on Tuesdays and Saturdays at various locations across the city to explore the urban forest and learn about shade equity. 

A glance at class themes and locations:

View full size image of group of people sitting at tables looking towards a large tv

• Introduction to the urban forest and tree ID at East Portland Community Center
• Shade equity and a brief history of redlining at Portland Community College SE Campus
• Fundamentals of pruning at East Holladay Part
• Introduction to the emerald ash borer and guest speaker lecture at McCoy Park
• Birds and trees walk and overview of Urban Forestry planting programs at Whitaker Ponds
• Heritage Tree and pedestrian safety walk at Irving Park
• Community engagement discussion panel with partners in the urban forest at the Portland Building 

Tree Stewards now have the tools to support tree stewardship at Urban Forestry events or to connect with their neighbors to support and care for trees in their communities. 

Participant Perspectives 

What NTS members had to say about their class experience: 

• “Being in a room of passionate people is always inspiring....it was encouraging to see so many people engaged and ready to go out and make the world a better place for us all.”
• “The NTS experience advanced my existing tree knowledge and expanded my knowledge of valuable opportunities to steward Portland's street trees at a community level.”
• “NTS is a wonderful program that is really a great benefit to Portland. It gives us the opportunity to see what is behind the development of a healthy, urban tree canopy, and the many benefits.”

View full size image of people gathered around a small tree

2026 Interest List 

In a city of nearly 4 million trees, we need enthusiastic, community-centered neighbors to help protect, preserve, and grow our urban forest. If learning about and caring for trees, making new friends, and exploring the city sounds good to you, consider applying to participate next year. NTS is offered on a yearly basis. Sign-up for the 2026 interest list. 

Thank You!

We are grateful to all the Urban Forestry staff and community partners who made this year’s class a success:

•  Oregon Walks and Bird Alliance of Oregon for co-hosting engaging and informative walks.
• Thomas and Sons Tree Care, Trees for Life Oregon, an alum from Connecting Canopies, Richmond Tree Team, Concordia Tree Team, and neighbors from the Roseway Parkway for leading great discussions about their work in the urban forest.
• And finally, we are grateful to all the newly inducted NTS members.

Your participation and feedback are greatly appreciated. Thanks for an excellent class and helping us build an even better program for next year!

Check out photos from this year's class on our Flickr.