Here’s the press release. Regardless what you think of the city, the guys in the public works department do a heck of a job.
The City of Springfield has been recognized a Tree City USA from the National Arbor Day Foundation for the 23rd consecutive year. The National Arbor Day has also awarded Springfield with its eighth Growth Award.
The National Arbor Day Foundation is a non-profit education organization that exists to help people plant and care for trees. Communities receive Tree City USA designation upon the recommendation of state foresters, who co-sponsor the program along with the USDA Forest Service. To become a Tree City USA, a community must have a city tree ordinance, a legal tree governing body, a comprehensive urban forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance.
“This recognition of Springfield’s continued commitment to the urban forest is a great honor,” said Abbe Ehlers, chair of Springfield’s Tree City USA Citizens’ Advisory Committee. “Especially considering the recent public forest losses our city has faced due the 2007 and 2008 ice storms and the 2007 late freeze.”
Tim Stanton, Regional Forestry Supervisor with the Missouri Department of Conservation, will present the Tree City USA flag and other recognition materials to Mayor Pro Tem Gary Deaver at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, May 15, 2008, at the pavilion in Smith Park at 1536 E. Division St. Along with the flag, the City will receive a bronze medallion to add to its plaque denoting this year’s recognition, and stickers indicating qualifying years to update its Tree City USA city limit signs.
“Trees in our cities and towns help clean the air, conserve soil and water, moderate temperature, and bring nature into our daily lives. Trees are a vital component of the infrastructure in our cities and towns, and provide environmental and economical benefits. A community, and its citizens, that recognize these benefits and provide needed care for its trees deserves recognition and thanks, “says John Rosenow, Chief Executive or the National Arobr Day Foundation. “An effective community forestry program is an ongoing process of renewal and improvement – a program of tree planting and care that continues through the years. The Tree City USA award is an excellent indication that there is a solid foundation for that process of improvement.
