Arbor Day Foundation Names West Palm Beach Tree City USA

West Palm Beach FL

17 February, 2021

10:02 PM

Description

From City of West Palm Beach: February 17, 2021 The City of West Palm Beach was named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of the city's commitment to effective urban forest management. An urban forest includes a collection of trees located in areas such as urban parks, on streets, landscaped boulevards, in gardens, or along coastal promenades. This is the 29th year the city has earned this recognition. West Palm Beach 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. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, energy use, and protection from extreme heat and flooding. The foundation notes that West Palm Beach is doing its part to help address these challenges for its residents, now and in the future, through effective urban forest management. "We are grateful to the Arbor Day Foundation for this wonderful recognition," said West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James. "We are committed to the vision of West Palm Beach as a healthy, environmentally progressive, resilient and ecologically sustainable community. The effective management of the city's urban forest is key to that." "Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community firsthand," said Arbor Day Foundation president Dan Lambe, in a press release. "The trees being planted and cared for by West Palm Beach are ensuring that future generations will enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program brings together residents and creates a sense of civic pride, whether through volunteer engagement or public education." More information on the program is available at arborday.org/treecityusa. This press release was produced by the City of West Palm Beach. The views expressed are the author's own.