West Unity was recently named a 2012 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. The award was designated to honor the Village’s commitment to effective urban forest management. This marks the 27th consecutive year that West Unity has earned the national designation. It is a designation that all Village officials are both very proud of and committed to. Village Administrator Ric Beals and Council Member Rich Merillat were also pleased to accept the honor on behalf of all of the Village officials and employees who work diligently to continuously meet the criteria set forth to earn the designation.
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To earn the Tree City USA designation, West Unity had to meet the programs four requirements: 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 Village will be observing Arbor Day again this year with the planting of a tree at 3:30 PM on Monday April 29. The exact location will be released as soon as it is known.
John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation expressed the importance of communities like West Unity being committed to the preservation and protection of trees by explaining “Everyone benefits when elected officials, volunteers, and committed citizens in communities like West Unity make smart investments in urban forests. Trees bring shade to our homes and beauty to our neighborhoods, along with numerous economic, social, and environmental benefits”.
Cleaner air, improved storm water management, energy savings, and increased property values and commercial activity are among the benefits enjoyed by Tree City USA communities.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of Foresters. More information on the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.
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