Scouts Embrace Heritage Tree Program, which now includes the Frank Lockyear Cedar Grove

([ Portland], [Or], [03/23/04])— On March 11, 2004 the Clackamas County Commissioners presented an award to Re-Tree International President Don Potter for nominating the Frank Lockyear Cedar Grove to Oregon’s “Heritage Tree Program.” County Forester Tom Ortman introduced Potter and gave him a ceremonial shovel on behalf of the County Commissioners.

“I have a passion to reforest our lands and teach youth the benefit reforestation provides to nature and future generations. The Frank Lockyear Cedar Grove is just one example of how over 250 tree seedlings were rescued from a private nursery's burn pile and re-planted for all to benefit from and enjoy,” said Potter who is also an Eagle Scout.

The Frank Lockyear Cedar Grove is located in the Mt. Hood National Forest near Estacada. This grove of western red cedar trees was planted in 1934; the first of hundreds of tree plantings organized by Lockyear in a life dedicated to reforestation. The only other Heritage Tree designation in Clackamas County is the Foster Lilac, planted in 1843 by Mary Charlotte Foster as a start brought from Maine around Cape Horn.

Lockyear founded Re-Tree International in 1977 and traveled the world on his mission to reforest idle lands with the help of young people. He was instrumental in planting many of the trees in the Tillamook burn area of northwest Oregon with the help of eager Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. Scout Executive Guy Miller, Cascade Pacific Council, Boy Scouts of America (formerly known as the Columbia Pacific Council), retired in 1977, and he volunteered with Lockyear to start a Council Tree Planting Program. Shortly after Guy Miller’s death in the early 1990’s, this tree planting program was renamed the Guy Miller Tree Plant. In 1994, the one-millionth tree was planted at the World Forestry Center in memory of Guy Miller and his volunteer efforts with Frank Lockyear and hundreds of Scouts.

In April 2002 the two millionth tree plant was held at the World Forestry Center in memory of Frank Lockyear who died in December 2001. Since January 2000 Don Potter has continued the Frank Lockyear legacy of reforesting idle lands. Today, the Cascade Pacific Council’s Guy Miller Tree Plant involves both Girl and Boy Scout groups and school children in an effort to replant idle lands as service-learning projects.

The Frank Lockyear Cedar Grove and other heritage trees, including the Captain Flavel Trees, will be included in a statewide dedication ceremony on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. at the Historic Flavel House ( 441 8 th Street) in Astoria, Oregon.

Lockyear was a life-long Scouter. He was an Eagle Scout, and he was recognized for his adult volunteer service to Scouting with the Silver Beaver Award. In 1984 the Boy Scouts of America presented Lockyear with the William Hornaday Gold Medallion, Scouting’s highest award for work in conservation.

“These are the people (youth) I do it for. It’s their future, their planet. We have to pass it on with fertile soil, clean air and water, and a wealth of wildlife. Healthy natural forests can supply them, so I plant forests,” Frank Lockyear said.

About the Cascade Pacific Council, Boy Scouts of America

The Cascade Pacific Council ranks among the nation’s largest Scout councils (out of 319) in terms of membership. The Cascade Pacific Council serves more than 47,880 youth in 18 counties in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington, and is supported by more than 15,900 adult volunteer mentors.

Local Boy Scouts of America Accomplishments

This last year (2003) Scouts of the Cascade Pacific Council reached out to the community and achieved the following outstanding accomplishments:  

Goodwill/Good Turn – Scouts collected approximately 340,000 pounds of usable clothing and household goods for Goodwill Industries. 

Camping Program – The Cascade Pacific Council has one of the strongest outdoor camping programs in the country, camping 11,000 boys at seven summer resident camps and ten day camps last year.  

Scouting for Food – Scouts collected 494,799 pounds of food for local hunger relief agencies through the Scouting for Food drive.  

Guy Miller Tree Plant – Over 2,500 youth and family members planted nearly 37,500 tree seedlings in our forests and neighborhoods in support of the Guy Miller Tree Plant program. Since 1977, this program has accounted for the planting of more than 2 million trees.  

Violence Free Spring Break – In partnership with the Portland Police Bureau, the Police Activities League, Multnomah County, Boys and Girls Club, and other organizations, the Cascade Pacific Council has planned, coordinated and staffed special events like “Violence Free Spring Break.” Over 375 youth were served for this event alone. These events use Scouting facilities and curriculums to deliver positive, values-based programs.

Outreach – Over $29,930 in scholarships was awarded to over 536 youth members for summer camp.

Boy Scouts of America - Connecting youth with communities and families.