Bend's new Urban Forester\, Ian G ray\, has an ambitious mission: to help protect and strengthen one of the city's most valuable natural resources&mdash\;its trees. Learn how the Cit y's urban forestry program is working to preserve existing trees\, improve tree management\, and build a healthier\, more sustainable\, functional\, and resilient urban forest. Discover the many benefits trees provide\, fr om shade and cleaner air to carbon storage\, cooling\, and an enhanced sen se of community well-being.
\nThe foundation of this effort is the&n bsp\;Bend Tree Project\, a citywide GIS inventory of trees growing in publ ic rights-of-way. Before a long-term management plan can be developed\, th e City must first know what trees it has\, where they are\, what condition they're in\, and what care they need. Using a dedicated corps of voluntee rs\, the project is creating the database that will guide Bend's urban for est management for years to come while giving residents an opportunity to become active stewards of their community.
\nCome and meet Ian Gray\ , whose enthusiasm for trees is as engaging as his remarkable career. Lear n how the Bend Tree Project is laying the groundwork for a healthier\, mor e resilient city for generations to come.
\nAbout the Presen ter
\nIan Gray's path to becoming Bend's Urban Forester has taken him around the world&ndash\;and through the trees. Having lived and worked in the United States\, Canada\, France\, and the United Kingdom\, he traces his love of trees to childhood field trips with his father in th e forests of California\, Oregon\, and Washington. After planting trees in Canada while attending the University of Michigan\, a job with a tree ser vice in England sparked a career that has now spanned more than 30 years.< /p>\n
Gray has worked as a climbing arborist\, owned a tree service in C olorado\, and cared for the trees of Aspen's homes before moving into urba n forestry. He later earned a Graduate Certificate in Urban Forestry from Oregon State University and holds numerous professional certifications thr ough the International Society of Arboriculture. Before coming to Bend\, h e served with the cities of Claremont\, California\; Aspen\, Colorado\; an d Renton\, Washington.
\nToday\, Gray combines hands-on experience w ith a passion for protecting the urban forest. He still climbs trees whene ver he can and proudly wears a tattoo of \;the Lorax\, Dr. Seuss's bel oved character who "speaks for the trees\,&rdquo\; a fitting symbol for so meone dedicated to preserving them for future generations.
\nAbout OLLI
\nThe Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Orego n (OLLI-UO) in Central Oregon invites community members to participate in our Friday Talks in partnership with the Deschutes Public Library. OLLI-UO is an intellectual and social community of engaged adult learners\, conne cting members to university faculty and professionals in respective fields . A six-month or yearlong membership allows participation in a variety of lectures\, courses\, peer-led study and discussion groups\, educational to urs\, field trips\, and social events.
\nQuestions? Contact \;lizg@deschuteslibrary.org&nbs p\;
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