Hartford was named a 2019 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.
Hartford achieved Tree City USA recognition 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/capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. It is the 28th year Hartford has received this national recognition.
“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community firsthand,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The trees being planted and cared for by Hartford are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program brings residents together and creates a sense of civic pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”
If ever there was a time for trees, now is that time. Communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, energy use, and protection from extreme heat and flooding. The Arbor Day Foundation recently launched the Time for Trees initiative to address these issues, with unprecedented goals of planting 100 million trees in forests and communities and inspiring five million tree planters by 2022. With Tree City USA recognition, Hartford has demonstrated a commitment to effective urban forest management and doing its part to help address these challenges for Hartford residents now and in the future.
“The city is proud to by recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA. This is the 28th year in a row that the city has received this designation. The city’s commitment is shown through our free Boulevard Tree Program and Arbor Day tree planting with the West Central third graders each year. Trees enrich communities and the City of Hartford is proud to support any tree planting efforts,” said City Administrator Teresa Sidel.
More information on the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.