Friends, family plant trees along I-205 path in honor of Gail Achterman

Gail Achterman’s husband Chuck McGinnis (L),
his son Daniel McGinnis and daughter-in-law
Cheryl McGinnis, plant a tree in her honor
along the I-205 path.
(Photos: Friends of Trees)

Gail Achterman was honored over the weekend when friends, family, and colleagues planted more than a dozen oak trees in her memory along the I-205 path in SE Portland. Achterman passed away back in January after decades of public service as a lawyer and advocate for environmental preservation and sensible transportation policy. She was most recently Chair of the influential Oregon Transportation Commission.

The trees were planted in the grass along the I-205 path between SE Schiller and SE Pardee — in the district Achterman represented as OTC commissioner.

Local non-profit Friends of Trees organized the planting. Communications Director Teri Ruch says Achterman’s colleagues and family attended the event. Oregon State Representative Alissa Keny-Guyer was there, as were Achterman’s husband Chuck McGinnis, her stepson Daniel McGinnis, and other members of the family.

L to R: Oregon State Rep. Alissa Keny-Guyer, Friends of Trees Executive Director Scott Fogarty and ODOT Region 1 Public Policy & Community Affairs Manager Shelli Romero.

Friends of Trees Crew Leader Conan Harmon-Walker helps Chuck McGinnis with a planting.

A stand of oak trees along a non-motorized corridor is a fitting tribute to Achterman. She was a giant in Oregon’s proud legacy of environmental protection and sustainable transportation policy who stood strong amid shifting political winds and laid down the roots of many policies and projects we all enjoy today.