City Invites Input on Plan to Grow and Protect Trees

September 1, 2020 — Wilsonville cares about its trees. Trees contribute to our sense of place and quality of life, they clean the air, conserve the soil and water, reduce heating and cooling costs and bring nature close to home. Each year since 1997, the City has been awarded recognition as a “Tree City USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation.

To ensure a healthy future for Wilsonville’s trees, the City is developing an Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) in collaboration with PlanIT Geo’s urban forestry consultants.  The plan establishes a road map to support the long-term health of the urban forest with an integrated approach to preserving, sustaining, diversifying, and regenerating Wilsonville’s urban forest for many more generations to enjoy.

While goals, objectives, strategies, actions, and monitoring techniques are being developed for the benefit of the entire City treescape, the Plan also aims to address unique challenges within Charbonneau and Town Center, and to provide specific guidance within those areas.

Public Input underway at “Let’s Talk, Wilsonville!” 

The City is inviting community stakeholders to visit “Let’s Talk, Wilsonville!” to share their perspectives on Wilsonville trees to inform the City’s vision.

On Tuesday, Sept. 1, community input begins with three ways for people to get involved:

• Take a Tree Survey: the first of two community surveys was designed to give project leaders a better understanding of community values and preferences about trees. The 18-question survey remains open thru September 18.  
• Sept. 15 Public Meeting: A virtual meeting is being held on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 6-7:30 pm, for people who would like to go in-depth with project leaders to discuss the UFMP and the City’s vision. Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83043046719 
• Enter a Photo Contest: Project leaders are inviting free submissions to a City photo contest. Entrants may see their photos used in the final Plan document, and three winners will receive additional prizes. Use the #wilsonvilletrees hashtag on Instagram or submit your photo (and view complete contest rules) at “Let’s Talk, Wilsonville!” The contest continues through Oct. 30; prize-winners are to be notified by Nov. 13.

Learn more and get involved at letstalkwilsonville.com/ufmp, o en español at letstalkwilsonville.com/ufmp-esp.  Registration is required to complete the survey, but not to participate in the photo contest or the community meeting.

Future meetings and an additional survey are to be scheduled before the project is complete. A Draft UFMP is expected to be complete by December, with the final Plan scheduled for consideration by the City Council in January.

For more information on the Urban Forest Management Plan, visit “Let’s Talk, Wilsonville!” or the City’s website. With additional questions, contact Kerry Rappold, Natural Resources Manager, 503-570-1570, rappold@ci.wilsonville.or.us.

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