The City of Gastonia has been recognized as a 2022 Tree City USA and received a Growth Award from the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to planting, nurturing, and celebrating trees.
The City achieved the recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: maintaining a tree board or department, having a tree care ordinance, dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
“This recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation is important to our goal to continue our tree canopy across the City and to become a greener community,” said Mayor Walker E. Reid.
A thriving urban forest offers many advantages to communities.
- Trees help absorb sounds of traffic in urban areas by 40%.
- Neighborhoods with trees are seven to nine degrees cooler than those without trees.
- Homes with trees have higher property values.
- Planting and maintaining trees absorbs carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, mitigating the effects of climate change.
“The trees being planted and cared for by Gastonia are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy to a better quality of life,” said Dan Lambe, Arbor Day Foundation Chief Executive. “Participation in this program rings residents together and creates a sense of civic pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”
About the Arbor Day Foundation
Founded in 1976, Tree City USA has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supports, and valued partners. Since 1972, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities, and forests throughout the world. The organization’s vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival.