11-10-2005 Park Commission Meeting

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As a TREE CITY USA, your community will receive... �� 10'Year ... additions to your awards ' x denoting the year i ... a Tree City USA flag le TREE CITY USA / .,,,"•-*� Arbor Day Foundation f am; ... special anniversary materials ... along with the joy of stewardship and the gratitude of future generations The National Arbor Day Foundation, communities that effectively manage residents of the community. in cooperation with the U.S.Forest their public tree resources,and to Tree CITY USA is an ongoing Service and the National Association encourage the implementation of community improvement program,and of State Foresters,recognizes towns community tree management based your community can and should apply and cities across America that meet on four TREE CITY USA Standards. for recertification each year. the standards of the TREE CITY USA These four standards provide Ongoing TREE CITY USA program. structure for a community forestry recognition can make a strong '"` At least half of the trees in a typical program,require that program to contribution to your community's pride, city are on public property...along demonstrate success based on the and it will keep you in touch with other streets,in parks,and around public judgment of the state forester's office, communities and resources which can buildings.The TREE CITY USA and provide for an awareness and help you improve your program. program is designed to recognize those appreciation of trees among the Application Procedures The TREE CITY USA application for application to your state forester along Foundation.You will be advised recertification must be completed by with all requested supporting material whether your community qualifies for an appropriate city official(mayor, no later than December 31.Your state TREE CITY USA recertification. city forester,chairman of the tree forester will evaluate application and board,etc.).Mail the completed forward it to The National Arbor Day Tree City USA Standards STANDARD 1:A Tree Board or Department on public property.The species,location,and condition of each tree are noted(i.e. A tree board is a group of concerned citizens,usually volunteer,charged by healthy,needs pruning,should be removed,etc.)and the inventory data is ordinance to develop and administer a comprehensive community tree management summarized in a written report for presentation and approval by the city council. program for the care of trees on public property.Tree boards usually function with The report should be an objective analysis of the present state of the urban forest the aid of professional foresters.In communities with a population of more then with recommendations for future management.The essential,ongoing activity for 10,000,city forestry departments with salaried employees are often feasible.These the care of trees along streets,in parks,and on other public places is the community departments may or may not be supported by advisory boards or administrative forestry program.The annual work plan should address planting,watering and commissions. fertilizing,dead and hazardous tree removal,safety and fine pruning,and insect STANDARD 2:A Community Tree Ordinance and disease control.To be named as a TREE CITY USA,a town or city must The community tree ordinance needs to designate the tree board or department annually spend at least$2 per capita for its annual community forestry program. and give them the responsibility for writing and implementing the annual community Consider all funds spent for tree care—budget for street tree department or board, forestry work plan.The ordinance should determine public tree care policies for park department's tree expenditures,dead tree removal,etc. --� planting,maintenance and removals.Ideally,the city tree ordinance will make STANDARD 4:An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation provisions for establishing and updating a list of recommended street tree species An Arbor Day observance can be simple and brief or an all-day or all-week to be planted with spacing and location requirements.A sample tree ordinance observance. A proclamation issued by the mayor must accompany the observance may be obtained by writing The National Arbor Day Foundation. and declare the observance of Arbor Day in your community.You can obtain a STANDARD 3:A Community Forestry Program with an Annual Budget of at free"Celebrate Arbor Day!"packet by writing The National Arbor Day Foundation. least$2 per capita. Along with ideas for celebrating the holiday,the packet contains a sample Many communities begin their program by taking a inventory of the trees growing proclamation.