Tree City USA
Qualifying as a Tree City USA
Trees provide an array of environmental benefits, but also provide social and economic benefits as well. A few examples include reduced storm water runoff, moderation of temperatures, increase property values and contribute to personal and community health. In recognition of the many benefits associated with trees, Ramsey strives to manage and foster the growth of our community forest, which is a vital natural resource. As a result, Ramsey qualifies as a Tree City USA.
About Tree City USA
Tree City USA is a national program that recognizes communities that are taking specific actions to properly manage its community forest. There are four (4) core standards that must be met to be recognized as a Tree City USA. The standards were designed by the Arbor Day Foundation to ensure that a qualifying community had a viable community forest management plan and program.
The standards are:
- Establish/maintain a Tree Board or Department (Ramsey has an Environmental Policy Board that satisfies this requirement).
- A tree care ordinance (Ramsey has a Tree Preservation Ordinance).
- A community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita (through a combination of tree maintenance activities such as trimming, planting, and removals, landscape requirements, plan reviews, and shade tree disease management, Ramsey generally far exceeds this standard).
- An Arbor Day observance and proclamation (annually, the City Council adopts a resolution to recognize and observe Arbor Day and the City coordinates a tree planting event in honor of Arbor Day).
Looking Forward
Ramsey has now been recognized as a Tree City USA for 30 consecutive years! While that is a great achievement, there is still room for improvement. City Staff and the Environmental Policy Board will continue with efforts to properly manage this vital resource and look for areas for improvement.