In February, Amarillo was named a 2021 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. Amarillo achieved the program's four requirements: forming a tree board or department, creating a tree-care ordinance, having 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.
“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 Amarillo ensure that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life."
“Trees may not be the initial thing that comes to mind about Amarillo,” said Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson. “Our city and residents understand the importance of trees, not only from an aesthetic perspective by also from an ecological and environmental perspective. Our city parks are a prime example. Amarillo is honored to be named as a 2021 Tree City USA.”
The benefits of trees to a city and community are many, according to the Arbor Day Foundation:
Planting trees in an urban space comes with a myriad of benefits past the recognition of this program. Urban tree plantings help reduce energy consumption by up to 25 percent, which will reduce general energy costs and help with the overall cooling of the city as well. In addition, members of the community benefit from properly placed trees as they increase property values from seven to 20 percent. Trees also positively affect the local ecosystem by helping to clean water and create animal habitats to encourage biodiversity.
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