[Archived] Alexandria Named Tree City USA

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

Alexandria Named Tree City USA

The City of Alexandria recently learned it has been named Tree City USA by The National Arbor Day Foundation. It is the 20th year Alexandria has received this national recognition.

The City, which is celebrating Earth Day on Sat., April 26 from 9 am to 1 pm at Four Mile Run Park, 3700 Commonwealth Ave., is nationally known for its earth-friendly efforts. To become Tree City USA, a community must meet four standards: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance.

In 1994, the City established a co-payment program for street trees in the rights-of-way near citizen’s residences. Under this program, a citizen pays approximately one-third of the purchase price of the tree.

Funding in the FY 2004-2009 Capital Improvement Plan will provide for the planting and care or 350 trees per year, including 285 replacement trees., 10 Arbor Day trees, and 55 trees under the cost-share program.

“Trees in our cities and towns help clean the air, conserve soil and water, moderate temperature and bring nature into our daily lives,” said John Rosenow, president of The National Arbor Day Foundation. “Tree City USA designation recognizes the work of elected officials, staff and citizens who plant and care for the community forest.”

In recognition of this honor, the City will receive a plaque, a Tree City USA flag and community signs showing years of participation.

The Arbor Day Foundation, a non-profit education organization that helps people plant and care for trees, sponsors the Tree City USA program with the support of the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.

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