City Celebrates Earth Day with 20th Tree City USA Designation
April 22, 2016
As the nation celebrates Earth Day, the City of Jacksonville is also celebrating 20 years as a Tree City USA, a designation recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation awarded to cities with a demonstrated commitment to effective urban forest management.
“Jacksonville has many natural resources that bring great beauty and value to our city,” said Mayor Lenny Curry. “As a city that is home to the largest park system in the nation, we are committed to these diverse resources. It feels great to earn recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for our efforts.”
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program. The program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, the U.S. Forest Service, and the National Association of State Foresters. Led by its Public Works Mowing and Landscape division, the City of Jacksonville achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
The Tree City USA program has been collaborating with cities throughout the nation since 1976, providing support and resources for communities to manage and expand their public trees. More than 3,400 communities have made the commitment to becoming a Tree City USA.
Trees are assets to a community, when properly planted and maintained. They help to improve the visual appeal of neighborhoods, increase property values, reduce energy costs, remove air pollutants, provide wildlife habitats and more. The City of Jacksonville was awarded a plaque and two Department of Transportation road signs to promote the designation.