Beaverton, OR — February 3, 2006—
Community leaders will plant a tree together in recognition of their successful partnership in the Tree for All—Community Stream Planting Challenge, at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 6 at the Beaverton City Hall, 4755 SW Griffith Drive in Beaverton. Members of Tualatin Basin Natural Resources Coordinating Committee including Washington County Commissioners Tom Brian and Roy Rogers, Metro Councilor Carl Hosticka and Beaverton Mayor Rob Drake will be among the elected officials who are participating. They’ll plant a native grand fir as a mascot to the program that is linking the community’s response to state Goal 5 habitat protection objectives and Clean Water Services’ Healthy Streams Plan—all for the betterment of the natural environment. On Saturday, March 4, hundreds of volunteers will plant native trees and shrubs throughout the County, furthering the community’s efforts to protect natural resources.
Clean Water Services has challenged the cities in Washington County to match its goal to plant one million native trees and shrubs along creeks and wetlands in the Tualatin River Watershed, for a total of two million in 20 years. The friendly competition dubbed “Tree for All, a Community Stream Planting Challenge” will help local jurisdictions improve water quality and habitat. It’s part of the Healthy Streams Plan which is a collaborative strategy by Clean Water Services, Washington County, the Cities, Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District, and Metro to protect and enhance the community’s precious water resources. Experts believe restoring healthy vegetated corridors along waterways is one of the most practical and cost effective ways to improve watershed health. Some of the labor comes from volunteers who may get a little dirty for a good cause.
On March 4, 2006, about 450 volunteers will plant more than 8,000 pole cuttings, bare root and potted native plants. Planting sites are being prepared in the Cities of Banks, Beaverton, Cornelius, Durham, Forest Grove, Hillsboro, King City, North Plains, Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin and unincorporated areas. Friends of Trees and SOLV will provide crew leaders, and SOLV will provide volunteer coordination.
“Tree for All is a fun way for people to make a difference where they live. The strong partnership of nonprofits, the Cities and Clean Water Services will meet the challenge and create a win-win for all.” said Kendra Smith, water resources program manager for Clean Water Services and principal author of the Healthy Streams Plan.
Tree for All focuses on smaller streams in parks and publicly owned land, using bare root and small container native plants because they have a better survival rate than larger plants and are easier for volunteers. “After years of stream enhancement projects, we’ve learned a lot. These plants will be mulched, watered and monitored to make sure they thrive,” Smith said. According to the Plan, native tree and shrub planting can offer dramatic stream health benefits for relatively low cost, particularly on small streams., increasing shade, stabilizing streambanks, creating habitat, cycling nutrients and even cleaning the air. Most of the two million trees will be planted in the next ten years.
For details about the March 4, 2006 Tree for All and to volunteer, please visit www.solv.org . To view the Healthy Streams Plan and supporting data, please visit www.CleanWaterServices.org
March 4 Tree for All sites, planting goals and volunteer needs:
Banks—Banks Creek 20 - 30 volunteers; 215 cuttings and potted plants
Beaverton—Downing Creek 60 volunteers; 600 plants,
1,000 cuttings, tube
Cornelius—Heather-Fawn Tributary 20 - 30 volunteers; 1500 pole cuttings
Durham—Durham City Park 20 - 30 volunteers; 210 bare root plants
Forest Grove—Beal Pond 20 – 30 volunteers; 600-800 plants, tube and mulch
Hillsboro—Orchard Park, 50 – 70 volunteers; 400-800 plants, tube, mulch
King City—King City Park 20 -30 volunteers; 315 bare root plants
North Plains—McKay Creek 20 - 30 volunteers; 246 cuttings and potted plants
Sherwood—Stella Olsen Park 30 – 40 volunteers; 300-600 bare root and cuttings
Tigard—Hiteon Creek 60 - 80 volunteers; 700 – 1000 plants, tube
Tualatin—Pascuzzi Pond 40 – 60 volunteers; 600-900 plant and tube
Unincorporated—Barrows Creek 20 - 30 volunteers
In 2005, Cities and Clean Water Services planted about 84,000 native trees and shrubs, far exceeding the year’s target of 27, 125 trees. The 2006 target is 54,250 with the following commitments at a total estimated cost of $275,349:
Banks: 215
North Plains: 246
Beaverton: 11,852
Portland: 10,500
Cornelius: 1,523
Sherwood: 2,108
Durham: 210
Tigard: 6,770
Forest Grove: 2,870
Tualatin: 3,719
Hillsboro: 11,901
Clean Water: 2,025
King City: 315
Clean Water Services is a water resource management utility for more than 480,000 people in urban Washington County and small portions of Multnomah County, Clackamas County, Lake Oswego, and Portland. Clean Water Services operates four wastewater treatment facilities, constructs and maintains flood management and water quality projects, and manages flow in the Tualatin River to improve water quality and protect fish habitat. Although Clean Water Services maintains a close working relationship with Washington County government, it is a separately managed and financed public utility.