Fruit Tree Index or Fruit Map
Coming soon!
Thanks to the generous support of Metro, we are stepping up our Fruit Tree Index project! What is that, you ask?
Vision: Get every fruit tree in the PDX metro area acting as an abundant resource for the neighborhood with or without our intervention by 1) identifying/locating it, 2) assessing/measuring it, 3) engaging in an intervention plan (planting, care, removal/replacement, harvest, etc) as needed/invited.
Why would we do that?
Efficiency in harvesting multiple trees in a neighborhood or other ways to improve how fruit is gathered and distributed (by us or others) - could also lead to new ways of community led harvesting and sharing
Workforce development training opportunities
Growing our own tree care/education plans and programs
Contribute to the body of knowledge around canopy - shade equity, urban forest protection, etc
Having critical data regarding the importance of tree care in a healthy and productive (sub)/urban orchard
Improving the health and yield of fruit trees across the city/metro area, which should also contribute to fewer tree removals/more fruit tree inclusion in tree planting
Track where PFTP plants trees for longitudinal data
Hypothesis: More data/tracking/care = More high quality fruit to eat and share, more shade/less heat, more local food production/access
What has happened so far?
Researched other projects/groups
Scoring matrix draft created as a starting point to an initial data framework
ArcGIS up and running
Past intern, Jayse, helped dream up some volunteer/data collection training ideas that we can build on
Gathered a bunch of smarties for ongoing tackling
We look forward to sharing more about this journey and someday providing story maps and other materials to make sharing fruit easier on everyone and the fruit being even more delicious!