Last December, Port of Vancouver USA’s Board of Commissioners approved two unique agreements with local non-profits Friends of Trees (FOT) and the Vancouver Watershed Alliance (VWA). These agreements allow the groups to plant trees on behalf of the port while improving the urban canopy throughout the city of Vancouver.

Between the two organizations, three volunteer-based events were held early this year for the current planting season. The first was held by VWA on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, Jan. 19. Hundreds of volunteers planted thousands of trees and shrubs along Burnt Bridge Creek, some of them sponsored by the port.

The second planting of 2015 was held by FOT in west Vancouver on Feb. 21. Volunteers planted street trees in several neighborhoods, including Arnada, Carter Park, Central Park, Edgewood Park, Fourth Plain Village, Fruit Valley, Hough, Hudson’s Bay, Lincoln, Northwest, Rose Village, Shumway.

The third and final planting event for the season was held by FOT on March 14. Volunteers planted trees in a variety of neighborhoods in Northeast Vancouver, including Airport Green, Burnt Bridge Creek, Countryside Woods, Fircrest, Hearthwood, Image, Landover Sharmel, North Image, Parkside, Parkway East and First Place. 

These events were tremendously successful in their first season. Some benefits include:

  • Supporting the City of Vancouver’s goal to provide for the protection, preservation and expansion of urban trees.
  • Promoting and funding FOT and VWA programs that bring people together to plant and care for city trees and green spaces.
  • Reducing tree mitigation costs to the port and helping preserve industrial property.
  • Helping the local community by planting trees in Vancouver neighborhoods to improve aesthetics, air quality and shade protection.

With the support of the port, Friends of Trees, Vancouver Watershed Alliance, the City of Vancouver and hundreds of volunteers, an incredible amount of trees have new homes in Vancouver neighborhoods.  We are proud of everyone’s work, honored to be a part of such a great team and are looking forward to more opportunities to serve with these groups next year!