Our Pacific Northwest: Portland's Urban Forest Ranked Amongst Top in the Nation

Our Pacific Northwest

Portland's Urban Forest Ranked Amongst Top in the Nation

The Oregonian has reported today the American Forests Report has ranked Portland, Oregon among the top 10 cities for urban forests in the nation. Portland, along with the other top cities, stood out among the 50 most populated cities for its civic engagement in maintaining the urban forest, accessibility to the public, documented knowledge about its urban forest, and its management plans and activities. Infamously known as “Stumptown” in its early history for its over-logged landscape, the report stated Portland now has 1.4 million total trees (1.2 million in parks and roughly 240,000 on the city streets). In 2004 the city set a goal of 33 percent of its surface area to be covered in urban forest; today it is estimated to be at 30 percent according to the report. Empirical magazine would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the city of Portland for its top-ten finish, and for its tremendous dedication in restoring a captivating landscape in our Pacific Northwest.

Photo Via Discover Sherwood Living



Our Pacific Northwest: Oregon History Museum Opens its First Black History Series

Our Pacific Northwest

Oregon History Museum Opens its First Black History Series

The Oregonian reported this morning that the Oregon History Museum in Portland will open an exhibit today highlighting Oregon's black pioneers and the state's African-American history. According to the article, the museum’s "All Aboard" program has launched the Oregon History Museum’s first Oregon Black History series, which will feature programs and exhibits throughout the year about black history. The first program will begin with a narrative of black settlers, who began to arrive in the state in the late 1800s. Despite facing unjust laws and prejudice from various elements in the community, the African-American community greatly prospered, creating their own economy to cater to fellow black settlers arriving on wagon trains from the east. The exhibit will encompass African-American history throughout the centuries, outlining the tremendous pioneering spirit and resiliency of Americans brave enough to leave their known world and call our Pacific Northwest home.

Picture via The Oregonian