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Home My WebLink About2010 05 24 Informational 102 Tree City USA National Status Award by National Arbor Day Foundation COMMISSION AGENDA CONSENT INFORMATIONAL X ITEM 102 RE GULAR ARING May 24, 2010 M r. \ /De et. '/ / Meeting A thorization REQUEST: The Community Development Department, Arbor Division, is informing the City Commission regarding Winter Springs being awarded national status as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. SYNOPSIS: Each year local governments around the country have the opportunity to qualify and participate in the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA Program. Winter Springs has continued to exceed the required qualifications of `Tree City USA' for 21 years and has received the related `Growth Award' for 11 years in a row. Additionally, Winter Springs has been named as one of only twelve `Sterling Communities' in Florida through the Tree City USA Growth Award Program. CONSIDERATIONS: Participation in Tree City USA benefits cities and other local governments in six (6) ways as summarized below: • Provides initial direction for an urban forestry program. • Education of Citizens is facilitated and promoted. • Improved public image and increased pride in the community. • Financial assistance advantages are secured through increased opportunity. • Publicity opportunities are created in surrounding municipalities. To participate in the Tree City USA Program four standards must be met to qualify for award: (1) the applicant shall have a Tree Board or Department, (2) the applicant shall have either a Tree Care Program or Arbor Ordinance, (3) the applicant shall have a Community Forestry Program, and (4) the applicant shall hold an Arbor Day Celebration and Proclamation Ceremony. Winter Springs is currently celebrating 21 years of being a Tree City USA. `Growth Award' is given to communities that go beyond the four standards of Tree City USA to accumulate points from specific projects that demonstrate improvement and growth of local tree care programs. A community that receives the growth award for 10 years while also meeting stringent qualification criteria each consecutive year is qualified to become a `Sterling Community'. Winter Springs has received the Growth Award for 11 years in a row and was recently honored as one of only twelve Sterling Communities in all of Florida. To learn more about the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA Program, please visit: http: / /www.arborday.org /programs /treeCityUSA /index.cfm on the interne. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no cost to the City for participation in the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA Program. COMMUNICATION EFFORTS: The National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA Program is promoted throughout the year to residents in Winter Springs through various arbor publications distributed by the City, the City's website, and at the Annual Arbor Day Celebration currently held in City Hall. RECOMMENDATION: The City Commission is being asked to review and accept the information in this agenda item. ATTACHMENTS: A. Arbor Day Foundation Letter To Kevin Smith - Dated February 8, 2010. B. Arbor Day Foundation Press Release — Winter Springs Tree City USA Award Attachment 'A` A rbor Day dal; 1011 211 N. "12th St. • Lincoln, NE 68508.888 -448 -7337 • arborday.org We inspire people to plan; nurture, and celebrate trees. February 8, 2010 Kevin Smith RECEIVED City Manager MAR 2 5 2010 1126 E.SR434 Winter Springs, FL 32708 0 gT f SPRINOS Dear Kevin 0,0pi ; IJ ~; We congratulate Winter Springs on having achieved, Tree City USA® status and Growth Award recognition for 2009—accomplishments that assure all your citizens of greater opportunities than they may yet realize! As you already know, trees are a vital component of the infrastructure in cities and towns, providing environmental and economical benefits. Trees in urban areas reduce the heat island effect caused by pavement and buildings. Properly placed trees can increase property values. Leaves filter the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles. We have prepared the enclosed press release for your convenience as you prepare to contact local media outlets to share this commendable achievement with the public. We hope you are excited to share the significance of this accomplishment with the media. If you wish to receive this press release in electronic form, please email mderowitschCa7arborday.orq. We will send it to you within one work day. The Tree City USA program is sponsored in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. State foresters are responsible for the presentation of the Tree City USA flag and other materials. We will forward your awards to Shirley Frazier in your state forester's office. They will be coordinating the presentation with you. It would be especially appropriate to make the Tree City USA award a part of your Arbor Day ceremony. Again, we celebrate your diligence in improving the quality of life for the citizens of Winter Springs and thank you for creating a healthier, more sustainable world for us all. • Best regards, John Rosenow Chief Executive cc: Michael Mingea For more information, Attachment B News from contact Mark Derowitsch, Public Relations Manager, at Arbor Day Foundation - mdero witschAarborday.oro or call 888 - 448 - 7337. 211 N. 12th St. • Lincoln, NE 68508.888 -448 -7337 • arborday.org We inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Winter Springs Receives Tree City USAF Recognition, Growth Award Winter Springs, FL has been named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to community forestry. It is the twenty -first year Winter Springs has received this national recognition. Winter Springs is also the recipient of a Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program in the following activity areas: Education and Public Relations literature distribution interpretive program community -wide tree event publicity • tree -care workshop arborist workshop The prestigious Growth Award recognizes environmental improvement and higher Levels of tree care in Tree City USA communities. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. Winter Springs has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community: having a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance. "A community, its elected officials and its citizens that provide needed care for its trees deserves recognition and thanks," said John Rosenow, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. "They recognize that trees are a vital component of the infrastructure in our cities and towns, providing environmental and economical benefits. Trees moderate climate, conserve water and provide habitat for wildlife. Trees in urban areas reduce the heat island effect caused by pavement and buildings. Properly placed trees can increase property values. Communities that are recognized with a Tree City USA designation and Growth Award go to great lengths to plant and care for the community forest." More information about Tree City USA can be found at www.arborday.orq/TreeCityUSA About the Arbor Day Foundation The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit, environmental, an education organization of nearly one million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at www.arborday.org. • Main gOTR