After suffering the devastating effects of Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, Bradenton officials recently rejoiced that their city would once again be listed as Tree City USA.
“The city is pleased to once again be recognized as a Tree City USA,” said Greg DeLong, the city’s associate director of planning and community development. “Following Hurricane Ian and Tropical Storm Nicole which caused the city to lose many trees, this honor goes to all our residents, businesses, city leaders, employees and the City Tree & Land Preservation Board who are all committed to protecting the to preserve and enhance Bradenton’s natural beauty.”
The news reached DeLong in a recent email from the Arbor Day Foundation: “On behalf of the Arbor Day Foundation, congratulations on being recognized as a 2022 Tree City USA. The residents of your community should be proud to live in a place that makes tree planting and tending a priority, and you should be proud of a job well done!”
The email was the culmination of the work of many people who wanted to help Bradenton regain the designation lost during the COVID pandemic.
The city and the Tree & Land Preservation Board will also again participate in the Arbor Day Foundation tree sweepstakes on April 22nd. Details of the raffle will be published later.
To be certified as a Tree City USA, a city must meet these four standards within a calendar year:
- Standard 1 requires that a city have a tree committee or city forest department. For many cities, the Tree Committee is a sub-committee of an existing commission. Standard One identifies the individuals or departments responsible for your city’s public tree policies and procedures, e.g. B. Trees along roads and in parks.
- Standard 2 requires that a city have a tree care ordinance. No city needs to regulate tree maintenance or tree removal from private property to meet this standard. Clear, thoughtful public tree ordinances clarify liability issues, determine who is authorized to act on behalf of your city trees, and can provide some legal protection if tree-related lawsuits arise.
- Standard 3 requires $2 per capita spending on tree maintenance and an annual municipal forestry plan. This standard is about record keeping and being accountable to your townspeople. It’s a way to show how your city proactively manages its trees for the safety of its residents and the beauty of the city. This spending target does not have to be a line item in a city’s budget. Volunteer work, contracted tree care and removal services may also be included, as well as the cost of leaf picking and the purchase of tree-related software.
- Standard 4 requires an Arbor Day celebration and proclamation. Your city does not have to do this on National Arbor Day, but rather at any time during the calendar year.
Bradenton has won National Arbor Day Foundation Growth Awards in 1997, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2013 for programs and projects that go beyond compliance with Tree City USA’s four standards.
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https://news.wgcu.org/environmental-news/2023-03-28/bradenton-regains-tree-city-listing-after-destruction-from-nicole-ian
