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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 01 14 Informational 106 'Tree City USA' and 'Growth Award' for Winter SpringsCOMMISSION AGENDA ITEM 106 Consent Informational X Public Hearing Regular ~~- January 14, 2008 Regular Meeting Mgr. / ept. Authorization REQUEST: Community Development Department, Urban Beautification Services Division, informing the Commission regarding the City of Winter Springs being named as a `Tree City USA' for the 191h year and also receiving the prestigious annual `Growth Award' in 2007. PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is to inform the Commission regarding Winter Springs participating in the National Arbor Day Foundation's `Tree City USA' Program and being recommended by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of Forestry, for the annual `Growth Award'. CONSIDERATIONS: Every year, qualified cities around the country have the opportunity to participate in the National Arbor Day Foundation's `Tree City USA' Program. Tree City USA benefits cities in six (6) general 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, listed as follows: the applicant shall have a Tree Board or Department, the applicant shall have a Tree Care or Arbor Ordinance, the applicant shall have a Community Forestry Program and the applicant shall hold an Arbor Day Celebration and Proclamation Ceremony. 011408 COMM Informational 106 2007 Tree City_USA Additionally, participating cities may also qualify for the National Arbor Day Foundation's Annual `Growth Award' by completing specific activities that strengthen their tree care programs by increasing education, partnerships, planning, management and tree planting. The growth award categories are scored by points, varying in each individual category. Each year, every participating City is required to improve their respective arbor programs over the prior year to qualify. Staff is proud to announce that Winter Springs has been authorized by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry, to be named as a Tree City USA for the 19th year in a row and to be awarded the prestigious annual `Growth Award' for 2007. ATTACHMENTS: 1. FDACS (Division of Forestry) Tree City USA 2007 letter dated 12/27/07. 2. FDACS (Division of Forestry) Growth Award 20071etter dated 12/27/07. COMMISSION ACTION: 2 Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services CHARLES H. BRONSON, Commissioner The Capitol • Tallahassee, FL 32399-0800 www.doacs.state.fl.us FM CFA Tree City December 27, 2007 Mr. John Rosenow Execui~ve Director National Arbor Day Foundation 211 North 12~' Street Lincoln, NE 68508 Dear Mr. Rosenow: Please Respond to: Division of Forestry Forest Management Bureau 3125 Conner Blvd. / C25 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650 The city of Winter Springs, Florida has filed the attached application for recertification as a Tree City USA. The application and supporting documentation has been examined by my staff and we feel that all standards for recertification have been met. Accordingly, I recommend that the city of Winter Springs, FL be recertified as a Tree City USA 2007. Sincerely, CHARLES H. BRONSON COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE Michael C. Long, Director U Division of Forestry MCL/saf Attachment cc: Michael Mingea, City Arborist, Winter Springs, FL Sean Gallagher, District Manager, Orlando District Senior County Forester, Orlando District _~~ ~ i~. 1F'~fda. Florida Agriculture and Forest Products X97 Billion for Florida's Economy ~.~~.i~~c1-~rner2 ~-- .~$o~ Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services CHARLES H. BRONSON, Commissioner The Capitol • Tallahassee, FL 32399-0800 www.doacs.state.fl.us FM CFA Tree City December 27, 2007 Mr. John Rosenow Executive Director National Arbor Day Foundation 211 North 12th Street Lincoln, NE 68508 Dear Mr. Rosenow: Please Respond to: Division of Forestry Forest Management Bureau 3125 Conner Blvd. / C25 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650 Winter Springs, Florida has submitted the attached application for fhe Tree City USA Growth Award 2007. The application and supporting documentation has been examined by my staff. We have determined that this community has met all requirements for the award. Accordingly, I recommend the award for the Winter Springs, Florida. Sincerely, CHARLES H. BRONSON COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE Michael C. Long, Director Division of Forestry MCL/saf Attachment cc: Michael Mingea, City Arborist, Winter Springs, FL. _ Sean Gallagher, District Manager, Orlando District County Forester, Orlando District _~t-i~~ Florida Agriculture and Forest PrUducts $97 Billion for Florida's Economy