The City of Portland recognizes sustainability as practices that meet the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations meeting their needs. Already a national leader in the field, the PP&R 2012-15 strategic plan focuses on two challenges essential to ensuring that generations are able to enjoy the benefits of parks and recreation long into the future. Below are key performance measures we are using to measure our progress in achieving goals within this area. A summary table is provided along with detailed interactive charts below.

Goals and Progress Summary

• Extend ecologically sustainable landscape management practices over the entire spectrum of PP&R’s green infrastructure.
• Reduce consumption of water and energy resources system wide.

Progress Toward Target		Performance Measure	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	Target
	Progress	Acres of invasive species treated annually	2,261	2,321	2,563	1,397	2,173	2,000
	No Change	Tree canopy coverage (2012 updated methodology)	29.9%	29.9%	29.9%	29.9%	29.9%	33%
	Progress made	Number of trees planted (net)	4,265	4,544	4,779	3,453	4,207	Net Increase
	Progress made	Total greenhouse gas emissions from PP&R operations	13,494	12,413	12,619	11,876	12,042	10,058
	Undefined	Water use (in CCFs or hundred cubic feet)	233,409	247,960	253,345	300,668	332,686	Undefined

Invasive Weeds

A key intervention towards improving the quality of park landscapes involves treating invasive weeds. In 2016, nearly 2,200 natural area acres were treated for the removal of invasive weeds.

Tree Canopy

During 2012, an extensive analysis of the urban tree canopy was completed by PP&R. The analysis involved using aerial photography to derive total tree canopy coverage for the city of Portland. Tree canopy coverage for the city land area as of 2010 was 29.9%. The analysis included an estimate of canopy coverage for the years 2000 and 2005. Over the ten-year period there has been a statistically significant increase in canopy coverage. The next update is scheduled to take place in 2017 and will continue every five years thereafter.

In the interim, PP&R continues to measure net tree plantings as a proxy for assessing progress towards canopy coverage goals. Substantial effort has been put toward planting additional trees in recent years. A net increase of 4,207 trees (trees planted minus trees removed) were planted in FY 2016.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In 2007, PP&R established a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25% by the year 2020. Greenhouse gas emissions at PP&R are directly linked to energy consumed by PP&R facilities and vehicles. Emissions decreased in 2016, mostly driven by increased use of biofuels within our fleet.

Water Use

The chart below identifies water use and cost at PP&R sites over the past five years. This includes all bureau use including irrigation, pools, splash pads, restrooms, and community centers. Water use and costs have increased in recent years. Water use and costs subsided in 2016, reversing a steady upward trend since 2011.  

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