News Release - Rochester Named Tree City USA for 34th Year

City of Rochester

News Release

(Friday, April 24, 2015) – Mayor Lovely Warren announced today that the Arbor Day Foundation has named Rochester a Tree City USA for the 34th year.

“Rochester is blessed with a lush, vibrant urban forest that contributes directly to our city’s outstanding quality of life,” said Mayor Warren. “Trees not only make Rochester a more beautiful and healthy place to live, they play an important role in our efforts to create more jobs, safer neighborhoods and better schools. I want to thank the Arbor Day Foundation for once again recognizing our efforts to maintain this urban forest.”

“Everyone benefits when elected officials, volunteers and committed citizens in communities like Rochester make smart in investments in urban forests,” said Matt Harris, chief executive officer of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees bring shade to our homes and beauty to our neighborhoods, along with numerous economic, social and environmental benefits.”

The Tree City USA Program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Federation of State Foresters.

The program that provides the framework for community forestry management for cities and towns across America. Communities achieve Tree City USA status by meeting four core standards of sound urban forestry management: maintaining a tree board or department; having a community tree ordinance; spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry; and celebrating Arbor Day. Participating communities have demonstrated a commitment to caring for and managing their public trees.

Rochester also received the Tree City USA Growth Award this year. The Tree City USA Growth Award is awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation to recognize higher levels of tree care by participating Tree City USA communities. The Growth Award highlights innovative programs and projects, increased commitment of resources for urban forestry and provides an opportunity to share new ideas and successes across the country.

The City’s managed urban forest includes 67,212 trees encompassing 168 different species along city streets and in parks and cemeteries. Using U.S. Department of Agriculture’s standard valuation for urban trees, this forest has a value in excess of $42 million.

The City has managed its urban forest since 1894.

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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo at 428-7135.