Portland State University and Portland Parks & Recreation partnered to evaluate ways to equitably increase Portland's urban tree canopy
Portland has a goal of increasing tree canopy and its distribution to improve not only the environment, but also public health and livability. The project sought to identify the best ways to increase canopy, with a special focus on equity. Currently tree canopy in Portland is below the city’s goal. Additionally, existing canopy is not equitably distributed throughout the city: lower income neighborhoods have significantly lower tree canopy coverage and fewer street trees than other neighborhoods. The reasons behind this inequitable distribution of trees are complex, and influencing factors include property owner income (trees cost money to maintain), past planting practices, quality and availability of planting spaces, pressure from development, and community attitudes towards trees.
Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry (PP&R UF) is committed to improving the equitable distribution of trees in the city. As the responsible bureau for the management and regulation of trees, PP&R UF is mandated to maximize the benefits of the urban forest for all residents (Urban Forest Management Plan 2004). PP&R UF engaged Portland State University (PSU) to research this important issue and help create a citywide tree planting strategy.
The goals of this project were to:
Public involvement was a key element of this project. Click on the "Get Involved" link at the top of this page for details. Stakeholders were involved in all stages of the project, and public involvement includes:
Read the final report here:
Growing a more equitable urban forest: Portland's citywide tree planting strategy
Portland has a goal of increasing tree canopy and its distribution to improve not only the environment, but also public health and livability. The project sought to identify the best ways to increase canopy, with a special focus on equity. Currently tree canopy in Portland is below the city’s goal. Additionally, existing canopy is not equitably distributed throughout the city: lower income neighborhoods have significantly lower tree canopy coverage and fewer street trees than other neighborhoods. The reasons behind this inequitable distribution of trees are complex, and influencing factors include property owner income (trees cost money to maintain), past planting practices, quality and availability of planting spaces, pressure from development, and community attitudes towards trees.
Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry (PP&R UF) is committed to improving the equitable distribution of trees in the city. As the responsible bureau for the management and regulation of trees, PP&R UF is mandated to maximize the benefits of the urban forest for all residents (Urban Forest Management Plan 2004). PP&R UF engaged Portland State University (PSU) to research this important issue and help create a citywide tree planting strategy.
The goals of this project were to:
- Publish a strategy that includes a city plan analysis, spatial analysis, and recommendations.
- Ensure historically underserved neighborhoods benefit and are involved in this the important work for their communities.
- Strengthen collaboration around tree canopy goals and planting efforts - internally between Portland city bureaus, as well as externally between the City of Portland and community groups.
- Create a publicly available, interactive planting map to help identify plantable areas based on city and community priorities
Public involvement was a key element of this project. Click on the "Get Involved" link at the top of this page for details. Stakeholders were involved in all stages of the project, and public involvement includes:
- Community Advisory Committee
- Key Stakeholder Committee
- Focused community group meetings
- Interviews with public agencies and tree planting organizations
- Public survey
Read the final report here:
Growing a more equitable urban forest: Portland's citywide tree planting strategy
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