May 17, 2010

Charlottesville was recently recognized by the non-profit Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry. It's the fourth year the city has received this national recognition.

Charlottesville has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community. Tree City USA communities must have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor day observance and proclamation.

The City also received a Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program in the following areas: Planning and Management; Standards and Specifications; Park, Open Space.

"I think there was a big perception for a while there that we were losing all of our trees and we did a study to find out that we may have lost some but we were doing very well in terms of nationwide tree canopy standards." says Chris Gensic, City of Charlottesville Park and Trails Planner. "People really want to know that that's going to continue and that we will protect that resource that really draws people to Charlottesville."

The prestigious Growth Award honors environmental improvement and higher levels of tree care in Tree City USA communities.

The Tree city USA program is sponsored by Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.