For immediate release
One Tree Planted for Every Resident of Washington County—Goal is Two Million
Hillsboro, OR — February 13, 2007 —
In the past year, about half a million native trees and shrubs were planted in the Tualatin River Watershed by Clean Water Services and partners to support water quality improvements and water quantity management and to enhance habitat for local species. Clean Water Services and its member Cities aim to improve the community’s green infrastructure by planting two million trees in the next 20 years, as recommended by the Healthy Streams Plan. In 2006, dedicated volunteers helped at Tree for All Community Stream Planting Challenge events, and in just one day planted more than 10,000 native trees and shrubs at 12 sites throughout urban Washington County. Most of the two million trees should be planted within the next decade because the Cities and Clean Water Services are far exceeding early tree planting targets. For example, the combined target for 2005 and 2006 was 65,630, and already more than 106,000 native trees and shrubs have been planted under the program.
In addition to the urban tree plantings, Clean Water Services also implements regional stream enhancement projects and partners with the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District to help rural land owners revegetate streams. More than 400,000 trees planted along rural streams brought the number of trees planted in 2006 to nearly half a million in Washington County--one tree for every resident. The plants will eventually shade local streams and lower temperatures, helping to meet federal water quality regulations. And, improving wildlife and riparian zones helps the Cities comply with state land use law Goal 5.
“Things are really starting to connect,” said Kendra Smith, Clean Water Services’ water resources program manager. “Working in partnership, Clean Water Services and the Cities are revitalizing miles of local streams.” The Tree for All: Community Stream Planting Challenge is one of a number of stream enhancement programs in urban Washington that depend upon the partnerships of Clean Water Services, the Cities, Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, Friends of Trees, SOLV, The Wetlands Conservancy, Tualatin River Soil and Water Conservation District and community volunteers including Scouts.
“There’s an investment in the ground,” said Mary Ordal, a City of Hillsboro Parks Department manager. Before any site is planted, it must be cleared of invasive non-natives such as Reed canary grass. Barriers to protect young trees from beaver, nutria and other rodents are installed at many sites. Ongoing maintenance includes weeding and watering until the plants are established.
“By overplanting at first, we’re preventing the invasives from taking over again,” said Carla Staedter, a City of Tigard volunteer coordinator. “Maintenance and monitoring is the key to long-term success.”
2006 Tree for All Results
Jurisdiction |
Target |
Trees Planted |
% of Target |
| Banks |
215 |
735 |
342% |
| Beaverton |
11852 |
22397 |
189% |
| Cornelius |
1523 |
2027 |
133% |
| Durham |
210 |
650 |
310% |
| Forest Grove |
2870 |
6793 |
237% |
| Hillsboro |
11901 |
13235 |
111% |
| King City |
315 |
300 |
95% |
| North Plains |
246 |
250 |
102% |
| Sherwood |
2108 |
3248 |
154% |
| Tigard |
6770 |
21640 |
320% |
| Tualatin |
3719 |
3525 |
95% |
| Clean Water Services |
2025 |
3808 |
188% |
| Total: |
43754 |
78608 |
The Tree for All: Community Stream Planting Challenge is part of the Healthy Stream Plan, a comprehensive study and action plan for the urban Tualatin River Watershed. For more information and a calendar of planting events, please visit
www.CleanWaterServices.org.
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.
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