Upper Merion Township has been honored with recognition as a 2023 Tree City USA and has also received the Growth Award from the Arbor Day Foundation. This achievement underscores the community’s dedication to planting, nurturing, and celebrating trees, contributing to a greener and healthier environment.
Tree City USA, founded in 1976, is a collaboration between the Arbor Day Foundation, the U.S. Forest Service, and the National Association of State Foresters. Upper Merion Township joins over 3,600 Tree City USA communities nationwide, collectively impacting 155 million people.
The additional acknowledgment of a Growth Award signifies the township’s exceptional commitment to sustainable urban forest management. In recent years, the importance of trees has become increasingly evident, with cities worldwide grappling with issues like air quality, water resources, public health, and energy use. Upper Merion Township’s proactive steps towards a more sustainable future are commendable.
The Arbor Day Foundation recently announced Upper Merion Township’s accolades, recognizing its effective urban forest management and outstanding tree care efforts. The community achieved Tree City USA status by fulfilling four key requirements: maintaining a tree board or department, enacting a tree care ordinance, allocating an annual community forestry budget, and hosting an Arbor Day observance.
Dan Lambe, Chief Executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, highlighted the positive impact of Tree City USA communities, emphasizing the critical role trees play in enhancing quality of life and fostering civic pride. As communities worldwide face challenges related to air quality, water resources, and extreme weather events, Upper Merion Township’s commitment to trees is pivotal in addressing these pressing issues.
To learn more about the Tree City USA program and how you can get involved, visit arborday.org/TreeCityUSA. Congratulations to Upper Merion Township on this remarkable achievement, and thank you for your dedication to the environment and the well-being of our community.
About the Arbor Day Foundation: Established in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to tree planting. With over one million members, supporters, and partners, the foundation has facilitated the planting of nearly 500 million trees worldwide. Their mission is to lead toward a world where trees are utilized to solve critical issues affecting our planet. For more information, visit arborday.org.