City of Salem Once Again Designated a Tree City USA
Salem has again been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, a designation the City has received each year since 2001, in recognition of the City’s commitment to effective urban forest management.
Salem achieved the Tree City USA designation by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
“Salem is committed to our public trees as a critical part of our climate action strategy, our beautification efforts, and our historic legacy as a green city,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “I am so grateful to the work our Tree Commission, our Tree Department, and the many community partners and volunteers who make this important work – and the continuation of our Tree City USA designation – all possible.”
“Tree City USA communities benefit from the positive effects that an urban tree canopy has year after year,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The trees being planted and cared for by Salem ensure that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program helps cultivate a sense of stewardship and pride for the trees the community plants and cares for.”
“The idea that as many of us as possible should plant and take care of trees is gaining momentum in Salem,” said Darleen Melis, chair of the Salem Tree Commission. “We are gratified to have our past accomplishments in increasing the tree canopy noticed by the Arbor Day Foundation. We also have the attention of the Commonwealth, in the form of the 2,400 trees that will be planted in our community thanks to the Greening the Gateway Cities Program (GGCP). Already over 400 trees have been planted as we now launch the spring planting season.”
An easy way to request free trees in Salem is to visit the Salem Tree Commission website: www.salemma.gov/tree-commission. In the “Quick Links” box, click the link to the GGCP website where residents can check the program’s planting zone map to see whether they are eligible to have a free tree planted for them on their property. Another link connects to the Salem SeeClickFix service request tool, for residents who wish to request a street tree in their neighborhood. You can also find links to videos and additional information about how to plan and mulch trees so that they stay healthy and last a long time.
Planting trees in an urban space comes with a myriad of benefits beyond the recognition of this program. Urban tree plantings help reduce energy consumption by up to 25% and can reduce temperatures on our sidewalks by almost ten degrees. The leaves on trees absorb rainfall to diminish sudden bursts of water on streets during severe storms and remove pollutants from the air, improving the health of residents. All members of our community deserve the peace, privacy, and enjoyment provided by a leafy city. In addition, members of the community benefit from properly placed trees as they can increase property values from anywhere between 7% to 20%.
More information about the Tree City USA program can be found at www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.
About the Arbor Day Foundation
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters, and valued partners. Since 1972, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities, and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival. As one of the world’s largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners, and programs educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing, and celebrating trees. More information is available at arborday.org.
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