Oregon Community Trees (OCT) is helping boost Arbor Month celebrations in six Oregon communities this year, thanks to grants the nonprofit organization is giving out this spring.
Holding a public celebration of Arbor Day is a condition for maintaining Tree City USA status from the National Arbor Day Foundation.
OCT Board member Morgan Holen coordinates the grant-giving and she said the Tree City USA communities receiving grants this year are Rogue River, Coburg, Dallas, Lake Oswego, Pendleton and Redmond. The grants range from $350 to $720.
The City of Rogue River will use its grant to buy a Japanese snowbell tree, shovels, rakes, a reusable canopy and children's art contest supplies plus take-home gifts for a tree-planting ceremony at the city arboretum in Palmerton Park.
Oregon Community Trees is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote healthy urban and community forests through leadership, education, awareness and advocacy. OCT serves as the Oregon Department of Forestry's advisory board on urban forestry issues.
