Our heritage programs had another eventful year! We’re celebrating 30 years of the Oregon Heritage Tree Program, reflecting on the Hood River community who came together to repair past harms and sponsor the state’s newest historical marker, and looking forward to dedicating Oregon’s 86th Heritage Tree this spring. Read all about it in our 2026 newsletter!
2026 Deep RootsDownload
On November 8, 1995, a group of tree lovers gathered for the founding meeting of the Oregon Heritage Tree Committee. They came together to create a program that combined the majesty of Oregon’s trees with the history they witnessed over hundreds of years. The group crafted the program from scratch, discussing goals, formalizing criteria, and creating a brochure. In June of 1996 the first program guidelines were drafted, and by …
TIC Councilors and Oregon Historical Marker Committee Members stand with new marker.
On Veterans Day 2025, TIC joined with the Hood River community to dedicate a new historical marker on Highway 35, one mile south of Hood River.
Highway 35 from Hood River to Government Camp was dedicated as the Oregon Nisei Veterans WWII Memorial Highway by Governor Brown on March 7, 2022. The highway commemorates the second-generation Japanese American …
Oregon’s 81st heritage tree was recently featured on KPTV’s countdown to America’s 250th anniversary.
The PSU Copper Beech has witnessed more than 100 years of urban development and is a living link to Oregon’s past. Listen to Oregon Heritage Tree Committee Chair Dave Hedberg share more:
The Travel Information Council (TIC) is responsible for governing our agency. The Council is composed of eight volunteers appointed by the Governor and one member of the Oregon Transportation Commission. At least one appointee must reside in each of Oregon’s six congressional districts. The Council meets quarterly to fulfill its mission of creating a great visitor experience by providing directions to destinations, connecting travelers with Oregon’s resources, and ensuring safe and convenient travel. Meet the Council members.
In a collaborative effort between OTIC and OPRD, the restroom building at Peter Skene Ogden Rest Area has reached a whole new era. The original building had significant accessibility challenges, including a lack of ADA stalls and difficult-to-navigate walkways, among other issues. The new building is the new standard design for OPRD facilities, with similar structures planned for Silver Falls State Park and Beverly Beach State Park. It is a modern, inclusive facility design that features eight single-occupancy restrooms offering greater privacy and convenience for travelers. 
There are even multiple water bottle filling stations for those hot desert days. The project, led by Bremik Construction Inc., was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. OTIC thanks OPRD for being wonderful agency partners in bringing about an even more inclusive and enjoyable traveler experience at Peter Skene Ogden Rest Area.
Find out when our governing council will meet next or review minutes from the last meeting.
Our online heritage tree directory provides information about the various city and county notable tree programs across the state. The directory is a great resource if you’re planning a weekend sightseeing trip or local walking tour, or if you wish to nominate a tree that has not met the statewide program criteria.
The Oregon Heritage Tree and Historical Marker Programs have updated their popular biennial publication: the “Guide to Oregon Historical Markers & Heritage Trees” map brochure. This full-color 20-page, glovebox size brochure lists all Heritage Tree and Historical and Regional Marker sites (current as of January 2025) across Oregon. If you would like copies of this free publication, please contact Jessica Carbone at 503-373-0155, or request by email.
We are excited to announce that we’ve partnered with a new payment processor, EBizCharge, to provide you with a more convenient payment experience. In addition to credit cards, we now accept eCheck payments. You can access the portal by clicking this link to EBiz Payment Portal to pay your invoice by credit card or eCheck. To get started, simply use the email address and ZIP code we have on file for you. If you have any questions or need assistance don’t hesitate to reach out by telephone at 503-373-0086 or use this link to email Sue VanHandel . We’re always happy to help.
Highway Business Signs: A cost-effective tool for local businesses to gain exposure along busy highways. Blue logo signs direct motorists to essential services and nearby attractions.
Rest Areas: The Travel Information Council supervises 39 rest areas at 25 locations around the state. Stop and rest, walk the dog and let the kids jump and run. See where Travel Information Council’s rest areas are located and why we take your safety seriously.
Free Coffee Program: The Highway Safety Rest Area Free Coffee Program helps save lives by decreasing driver fatigue. This program is permitted by TIC and run by volunteer non-profit groups. For immediate information about this program, telephone 503-373-0155.
Permit Programs: Travel Information Council connects you with the latest traveler information. Both businesses and motorists benefit from exposure in our travel information centers. If you want fast information about panels or brochure placement, telephone 503-373-0090.
Heritage Trees: Want to learn more about these spectacular beauties? Come visit our map and detail pages and listen to an audio tour.
Historical Markers: A venerable program handed down through the generations, Oregon’s historical markers can be the focus of a weekend family outing.
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