News Release from Oregon Dept. of Forestry
March 8th, 2022 7:30 AM

BANDON, Ore. – Celebrations of Oregon Arbor Month will be more colorful and engaging this year in Bandon thanks to a $500 grant from the non-profit Oregon Community Trees organization. Bandon is one of five Tree City USA communities across Oregon receiving a grant this spring to boost tree-related activities in April. 

The grant to Bandon will cover the cost of creating a mural celebrating the trees of City Park. A local artist is designing the mural, which will be painted by adult and child volunteers using a “paint-by-number” technique. 

Bandon’s Parks & Recreation Commission is planning the mural painting along with music and food as part of a day-long event commemorating Arbor Month. In addition to regular tree maintenance and clean-up, the Commission also plans to hold a "Tree-K" (3-kilometer walk) encouraging participants to walk through City Park to identify and learn about different tree types. 

Dana Nichols is coordinator for the mural project. “The mural will add a lasting impact to our City Park and commemorate the work recently completed by the Commission to reforest City Park,” she said.

Other communities receiving grants include:

• Hillsboro - nature-themed prizes, materials and supplies supporting a variety of educational activities for children and adults, including a tree identification scavenger hunt.

• Medford - a granite boulder plaque to be installed at a recently designated Heritage Tree in Mainwaring Park.

• Pendleton – a large tree for a free raffle and educational materials.

• Rivergrove - four native species trees to be planted in a localcity park with students from Rivergrove Elementary School’s “Green Team” and watering supplies.

Since 2014 Oregon Community Trees has supported 38 different communities with these grants. Made up of arborists, urban planners, community activists, foresters and others interested in trees, the non-profit group’s mission is to promote healthy urban and community forests through leadership, education, awareness, and advocacy. 

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Contact Info:
Dana Nichols, City of Bandon, 541-347-7922, dnichols@cityofbandon.org
Morgan Holen, Oregon Community Trees, 971-409-9354, morgan@mholen.com