Categories: Palm Bay

Palm Bay Named Tree City By Arbor Day Foundation

(Palm Bay, FL)–The Arbor Foundation has announced that Palm Bay, Florida was named a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry. Palm Bay Mayor John Mazziotti also proclaimed Friday, April 27th as Arbor Day in Palm Bay and called on all citizens to recognize and participate in local events. “I urge all citizens to plant trees and to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations,” Mazziotti said in the official proclamation which was presented at a recent Palm Bay City Council meeting.

Palm Bay will celebrate Arbor Day on Saturday, April 28th with information at City Hall from 8am to 12pm featuring tree related handouts for children and adults and free Long Leaf Pine tree plugs. Volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Palm Bay First Ward will also be at City Hall assisting with cleanup and pruning chores. Volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Palm Bay Second Ward will be assisting with projects at Castaway Point Park.

It is the 1st year Palm Bay has earned the Tree City USA designation, a national honor from the Arbor Day Foundation, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. “We all benefit when communities like Palm Bay place a high priority on planting and caring for trees, one of our nation’s most beautiful resources,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees shade our homes and add beauty to our neighborhoods, and they also provide many environmental, economic and social benefits. We applaud Palm Bay’s elected leaders, volunteers and citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest.”

The Tree City USA Program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.

Palm Bay has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community. Tree City USA communities must have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

Communities that earn the Tree City USA recognition not only have taken the time to meet the four standards, they know that trees:

Promote healthier communities by filtering the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles.

Moderate climate, conserve water and provide vital habitat for wildlife.

Reduce the heat island effect in urban areas caused by pavement and buildings.

Reduce energy use and increase property values.