With some heavy rain forecast for this weekend, it's a good time to remember the important role trees are playing in capturing and soaking up the rain before it hits the pavement and washes in to our storm drains and rivers.

Portland is in good company with many other cities that support tree planting, green infrastructure and natural area preservation as part of clean water and stormwater management strategies.  Seattle, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Vancouver, WA and others use stormwater fees to support tree planting.

Right now is prime time to sign up for new trees with Friends of Trees, or to think about Treebate if that's a better option for you.  We need your help to add to the 32,200 trees planted since 2008, thanks to Friends of Trees and our other partners.  Let's keep our urban forest growing for the future! 

See Environmental Services Director Dean Marriot's letter to The Oregonian about trees here: http://blog.oregonlive.com/myoregon/2013/09/letter_treebates_contribute_to.html