FAYETTEVILLE-- The city announced today it was named a 2018 Tree City USA community in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.
This is the 24th year Fayetteville has received the designation, according to a city press release. 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.
The city gained the recognition by meeting or exceeding requirements in four categories: 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 release said.
The city participates in events all year to promote new tree planting and to maintain the health of the tree canopy, according to the release. Two upcoming events are:
Now through April 27: Bradford Bounty incentive. Residents who remove a Bradford pear tree on their property can receive a free native tree as a replacement. (While supplies last. Limit one per household.)
April 27: Invasive Plant Species Removal at Clarence Craft Park hosted by the Urban Forestry Advisory Board.
The Urban Forestry department is collaborating with organizations to plant more trees this year in line with the Arbor Day Foundation's Time for Trees initiative to plant more trees for greater community benefits, according to the release. Recently, the city worked with Girl Scout Troop 5327 to give away 500 pine tree saplings and with the Illinois River Watershed Partnership volunteers to plant 275 native trees and shrubs along Owl Creek.
NW News on 03/22/2019