The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits initiative (PCEF) was passed by 65% of Portland voters in November 2018. It provides a consistent, long-term funding source and oversight structure to ensure that our community's climate action efforts are implemented to support social, economic, and environmental benefits for all Portlanders, particularly those historically underserved and on the frontlines of climate change. The initiative was supported by a broad coalition of groups and individuals in addition to being the first environmental initiative in Oregon led by frontline communities.
PCEF has gone on to do a lot of awesome work for communities throughout Portland. We want to help celebrate that work by highlighting a story that was made possible through funding provided by PCEF.
Hope you enjoy!
Maleek McKenzie
Energy Justice Organizer
As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers. The story we’re highlighting this month is of the Portland Fruit Tree Project. They’re on a mission to increase equitable access to healthful food, and strengthen communities by empowering neighbors to share in the harvest and care of city-grown produce. In 2020 the organization received a PCEF grant which gave them the ability to scale up their operations by bringing on additional staff and becoming a 7 days-per-week operation. They also created a fruit tree index showing the location and health of fruit trees throughout the city. Just last year they donated 28,000lbs of produce to partner organizations.
The Portland Fruit Tree Project (PTFP) is strongly aligned with PCEF’s guiding principle of being focused on climate action that provides multiple community benefits. PTFP invests in youth by helping them develop knowledge and skills in arboriculture, tree pruning, and sustainable harvesting. The program also supports our need for a generation of leaders that understand the importance of sustainability, and the role our natural environment plays in community health. When I see what this partnership has made possible I see a proof of concept for a better world. One in which we make use of our local resources in a manner that reflects cohabitation with the environment around us, as opposed to extractive processes that leave scars future generations have to bear.
The PTFP breaks nutritional barriers from a lack of fresh produce, a widespread issue in urban areas often described as food deserts. The work done by Portland Fruit Tree Project will pay dividends for decades to come, a nutritious and literal reminder of an old proverb: Society grows great when people plant trees whose shade they’ll never know.