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For Immediate Release •
March 23, 2009
Staff Contact: Ken Wicklund, City Forester, 303-651-8449
View the most recent Press Releases.
MARCH 23, 2009 - Longmont has been named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to community forestry.
It is the twenty-ninth year Longmont has received this national recognition.
Longmont is also the recipient of a Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program in the following activity areas:
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.
Longmont 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.org/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.
Arbor Day Celebration in Longmont
Celebrate Arbor Day/Earth Day in Collyer Park, 6th Avenue and Collyer St., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get a taste of what a professional arborist does. Climb a tree, take a bucket truck ride, or have fun with some challenging rope activities. There will be trees and rose bushes for sale, prizes, balloons, live music, and lunch for only $1. Learn how to reduce your impact on the environment – and your utility bill – by taking advantage of the City’s environmental programs. Boulder County volunteer naturalists also will present an exploration of our area’s life zones on a living map. Contact City Forester Ken Wicklund at 303-651-8449 for more information. Rain date is the following Saturday, April 25, 2009.
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