Arbor Month

Nature's Mirror

The people of Tualatin have long seen the health of our tree canopy as vital to our sense of wellbeing and as a defining characteristic of our community. A healthy tree canopy touches our lives and provides us the daily benefit of cleaner air, shadier streets, and the esthetic beauty that trees provide. The Tree City USA signs at Tualatin’s entrances tell visitors that this is a community that cares about its environment. It is also an indication to prospective businesses and residents that the quality of life is better here.

Tualatin celebrates the entire month of April as Arbor Month to recognize the many contributions that trees make to our lives and community. It is a month filled with events and activities to celebrate our leafy friends.

Festivities include:

Arbor  Month Kids' Poster Contest with the theme "Tualatin trees are _____________". Participants were asked to fill in the blank with what trees mean to them and create a poster based on that theme. Visit the Poster Contest page to see this year's winner!

"Tualatin Trees" Photo Contest.  Visit the photo contest page to see this year's winners and all of the submissions.

Old Salmon River Trail
Kick off the hiking season with this picturesque out-and-back trail paralleling the wild and scenic Salmon River. This 2.7 mile trail is mostly flat except for a short hill on either end, crosses several small bridges. Fee includes lunch, gratuity, escort and transportation. 
Juanita Pohl Center
Friday, April 26 | 9am-2pm

$37 resident/$47 non-resident

Put Down Roots in Tualatin
Saturday, April 6  
9am – 12pm  
Atfalati Park  
Celebrate Arbor Day by planting trees!  800 native trees, shrubs and pollinator friendly flowers will be planted along Saum Creek to improve forest diversity and stream health.
REGISTER

Hug a Tree for Earth Day  
Friday, April 19
9am – 12pm
Brown’s Ferry Park
Make a difference in forest diversity and stream health on Earth Day.  Join the City of Tualatin, Tualatin RiverKeepers and Friends of Trees as we remove invasive ivy and blackberry from the Tualatin watershed.
REGISTER

Smokey Bear Reading Challenge
The Tualatin Public Library, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service will celebrate the 80th birthday of Smokey Bear with a reading challenge. Read three books about trees, forests or topics related to environmentalism for a chance to win a cute Smokey Bear stuffed animal.

Tree Themed Story Times at the Library

Tualatin Historical Society's 3rd Annual Poetry Contest
Congratulations to Patricia Brisbois for winning the 3rd annual Arbor Month Poetry contest! Visit the Historical Society's website to read Patricia's winning poem along with all of the other finalists' poems.

Arbor Month Scavenger Hunt
Take a stroll through your local Tualatin park or trail and complete a scavenger hunt! Download the board at the bottom of the page, get outside and have some fun!

Annual Tree City USA Designation

The City of Tualatin has been recognized as a Tree City since 1987.
The City earned the designation by meeting four fundamental standards of sound urban forestry management:

  • Maintaining a tree board or department
  • Having a community tree ordinance
  • Spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry
  • Celebrating Arbor Day

More Ways to Celebrate Arbor Month

There are lots of ways your family can celebrate Arbor Month together. Here are a few ideas:

  • Celebrate Arbor Month in a personal way by planting a tree yourself. It is an act of optimism and kindness, a labor of love and a commitment to stewardship.
  • Read a book about trees. Learn to identify trees in your yard and neighborhood.
  • Enjoy the outdoors. Visit a local park or take a nature hike.
  • Attend a class on tree and plant care.
  • Volunteer in Tualatin to plant native trees and shrubs through the Put Down Roots in Tualatin program.  You’ll meet new people and make a difference in your community.

For more ways to celebrate Arbor Month visit the Oregon Department of Forestry website!