4/24/23, Asbury Park, NJ – The Arbor Day Foundation, a million-member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees, has named the City of Asbury Park a 2022 Tree City USA to honor the City’s commitment to effective urban forest management. This year’s recognition marks the City’s 21st year as a Tree City USA designee.
The Tree City USA program was founded in 1976 to celebrate towns and cities committed to growing their urban canopy. Led by the Arbor Day Foundation, with partners at the USDA Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters, it provides the foundational framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their tree cover.
Asbury Park achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: maintaining a tree board or department – the Environmental Shade Tree Commission – that creates awareness of what trees do for the community and provides broad support for better tree care; having a tree care ordinance; dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita to help plant and keep trees in healthy condition; and hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation to help garner public support for the City’s urban forestry program.
“Trees provide many benefits to our City, including removing air pollutants, providing wildlife habitat, improving the visual appeal of our neighborhoods, reducing home cooling costs and increasing property values,” said Environmental Shade Tree Commission Chair Tom Pivinski, “The trees being planted and cared for by Asbury Park are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life.”
“As communities worldwide face issues with air quality, water resources, energy use and extreme heat and flooding, growing and supporting an urban canopy is more important than ever,” said Deputy Mayor and Environmental Shade Tree Commission member Amy Quinn, “We value having a greener, healthier community and thank the Arbor Day Foundation for this important recognition.”
For more information on the Tree City USA Program, visit www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.
For more information on the City of Asbury Park, visit www.cityofasburypark.com.