New Albany, Ohio, has proudly been named a 2024 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation—a testament to the city’s ongoing commitment to enhancing urban forestry and improving community well-being.
Celebrating Urban Forestry Excellence
The Arbor Day Foundation, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees, honors cities and towns that excel in urban forestry. With more than a million supporters and partners worldwide, the Foundation has played a pivotal role in planning over 500 million trees across more than 60 countries since 1972.
Michelle Saulnier, Vice President of Programs at the Arbor Day Foundation, stated,
“We all have a role to play in shaping our future and tree champions like New Albany are leading the way. Trees are critical infrastructure, building resiliency and fostering good health in our nation’s cities. We’re proud New Albany is among the Arbor Day Foundation’s growing network of communities dedicated to creating positive impact through trees.”
The Impact of Urban Trees
Trees in urban areas offer significant benefits:
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Climate Resilience: Mitigating the urban heat island effect.
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Water Management: Reducing stormwater runoff.
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Air Quality: Filtering pollutants to improve breathing conditions.
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Community Health: Enhancing mental and physical well-being.
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Noise Reduction: Cutting down traffic noise.
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Economic Benefits: Boosting property values and lowering energy costs.
Meeting the Standards for Tree City USA
To secure the Tree City USA designation, New Albany has successfully met four core standards:
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Dedicated Tree Board/Department: Establishing a team responsible for urban forestry.
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Community Tree Ordinance: Implementing policies that support tree planting and maintenance.
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Per Capita Investment: Spending at least $2 per person on urban forestry initiatives.
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Arbor Day Participation: Actively celebrating Arbor Day with community events.
The program, operated in partnership with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service, continues to inspire cities to integrate urban forestry into their sustainability plans. For more details on the program or application guidelines, visit arborday.org.
About the Arbor Day Foundation
For over 50 years, the Arbor Day Foundation has mobilized a global community to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. Their initiatives have resulted in planting more than half a billion trees, showcasing a commitment to a sustainable future. With a network of dedicated leaders and supporters, the Foundation is driving a transformative movement towards greener, healthier communities.
By achieving the 2024 Tree City USA recognition, New Albany stands as a beacon of environmental stewardship, showing how local actions can yield widespread benefits for both the community and the planet.
