Growing Urban Tree Canopy; Fighting Climate Change; Connecting Folks To Our Local Food Systems…Our Spring Appeal is underway!
Did you hear? Our Spring Appeal is underway!
We hope you join us in any way that feels meaningful, whether that is donating, attending a workshop, joining the symposium, or sharing this with your networks!
We're excited to share our progress with you, as well as some specific actions Portland Fruit Tree Project is taking, AND some upcoming events and activities…
Donation Perks:
This year, the Jack Johnson Ohana Foundation is matching up to $2500!
All new recurring donors are going to get a really cute bamboo gift basket/bag!
EVERY donor is getting entered to win two tickets to the SOLD OUT Jack Johnson show at Edgefield
Did you miss our previous email? You can check it out here.
Let's talk about growing the urban tree canopy…
With canopy loss in the Portland area and the clock ticking in the fight against climate change, we want to stress the importance of meeting regional canopy goals while being inclusive to all types of trees, including fruit bearing. Not only do trees sequester carbon, they also help keep us cooler (20-45 degrees cooler!) during times of extreme temperatures. Harmful building layouts that neglect the use of trees in their planning puts lower income and historically marginalized community members at risk of heat related injury or death.
We're building solutions - and canopy - through ongoing testing of our mobile orchards, strategic tree planting, and raising awareness of, and access to, urban fruit trees.
Mobile Orchards
Our vision is to bring fresh fruit and shade to people that do not have easy access to fresh fruit, land to grow on, or sufficient canopy in their neighborhood, business, or yard. Boxes are designed to be transportable between areas as a way of growing canopy without contributing to green gentrification, or displacement and rising living costs as a result of adding trees, community gardens, or other green infrastructure that increases property values.
Tree Planting
Through partnerships with organizations run by, and serving homeowners of color, we hope to begin planting fruit trees that are culturally and personally meaningful as well. Right now, that looks like free consultations and coaching sessions for homeowners to identify what needs to happen before a tree is planted, how to select a great tree, and building a list of trees we’ll get in the ground in the fall/winter.
Did you know that every tree planted can increase property values as well as reduce energy bills? Done strategically, we can help build canopy AND generational wealth through homeownership. Check out the work our friends at Taking Ownership for other ways this type of work is happening.
Education
Knowledge is power! Our final strategy to retain urban fruit trees is through our Fruit Walks. This is a series of planned walking routes, in partnership with Imagine Black, Oregon Walks, and Black Community of Portland that encourages community members who may generally not feel safe walking their neighborhoods to experience the growing fruit around them, to learn about trees, and to reconnect with nature. Inclusivity Program Coordinator, Kenja Bettis, intends this to be a healing experience, one that “lightens the mood, reduces stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue.”
Join us at the Connecting Canopies Symposium May 25th
Find out about some of the great work being done by this group of nonprofits, government agencies, businesses and private citizens. You'll also get a sneak peak at PFTP's Workforce Development program!
In-Person Soil Health Workshop with Blue Raven Farms!
No plant succeeds if soil isn’t cared for. Join us at Blue Raven Farm, June 11th at 9:30am in Corbett to learn about how to build your soil. Last year's virtual version was amazing, so this promises to be a great experience!
Harvest Season is Coming
Now is a great time to register your trees for the upcoming harvest (it's coming, we promise)!
Get your trees scheduled for some summer tree care! Summer pruning will fill up fast! You can also schedule some 1:1 time with Liliana to learn how to make the most of your space and trees/fruit producing plants!
Once again, we hope you'll be joining us in the fight against inequity and climate change. The success of our organization and the people we serve would not be possible without all you have given and continue to give. We are looking forward to all we will achieve, as partners and as concerned community members.