Proposed Transfer of Tree Planting Program from BES to Urban Forestry

Portland tree advocates Ted Labbe of Urban Greenspaces Institute and Bob Sallinger of Portland Audubon have expressed concerns about the proposed move of the Bureau of Environment Services’ tree planting program to Parks & Recreation’s Urban Forestry division. Their qualms are based on the two bureaus’ differences around funding stability, work scope and focus, community trust, and partnerships including with groups like Friends of Trees. See Labbe’s talking points, which were posted on the Keep Trees Standing Facebook group in late February.

If any shift of tree-planting responsibilities is to take place, both Labbe and Sallinger argue that the transfer should flow the other way, from Urban Forestry to BES. Sallinger’s position is laid out in a February 22, 2020 letter to the relevant bureau heads.

Here’s a statement about the transfer sent on March 4, 2020 to Trees of Life Oregon on behalf of City Forester Jenn Cairo, who runs Parks’ Urban Forestry:

“Last year, Commissioner Fish and the PP&R and BES Directors asked staff at both bureaus to explore where there are intersections or overlap in natural resource service delivery. The endeavor began because we want to better serve the environment and the people of Portland. The Directors asked the team to focus their initial discussions around natural area management, invasive species management, and tree planting programs. Staff worked collaboratively in teams to identify opportunities and challenges. After reviewing the findings, the Directors concluded that tree planting services between the bureaus could be improved by putting the programs under one bureau to reduce inefficiencies and deliver expanded, more equitable and more sustainable tree planting services.

In the coming months, BES and PP&R teams will be working together to continue discussions on how the two bureaus’ overlapping tree planting programs can be aligned under one bureau. This work will include in-depth analysis and consider external feedback. We look forward to engaging community stakeholders during this work.”