While the Sandersville Tree Board did not have a quorum, or a majority of members present during their monthly meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 3, they did have some exciting news to share.
It was announced that the Georgia Forestry Commission plans to recognize the Sandersville Mayor and City Council, along with the Sandersville Tree Board, for 30 years as a “Tree City USA” community.
According to the Sandersville Tree Board, the Georgia Forestry Commission will make the presentation during the Sandersville City Council meeting set for Monday, February 7.
Started in 1976, Tree City USA is one of the Arbor Day Foundation’s oldest programs. The founders had a vision for a greener, healthier America, and hoped this initiative would inspire change on a nationwide level.
The Arbor Day Foundation reports that the first Tree City USA cohort was comprised of 42 communities in 16 states. Today, the program includes more than 3,600 communities from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Since the program’s inception, more than 3,500 communities have made the commitment to becoming a Tree City USA community. They have achieved 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.
According to the Arbor Day Foundation, trees provide numerous benefits to communities and the people living and visiting those places, including the following:
– Trees help absorb the sounds of traffic in urban areas by 40 percent.
– Neighborhoods with trees are seven to nine degrees cooler than those without.
– Trees reduce energy costs up to 25 percent by shading buildings and protecting them from winter winds.
– Homes with trees have higher property values.
– Green space plays a major role in improving mental and physical health.
– Planting and maintaining trees absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, mitigating the effects of climate change.
The presentation from the Georgia Forestry Commission will take place Monday, February 7 at 4 p.m. during the Sandersville City Council’s workshop.