Title
Tree City USA Re-application 2018 Update
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION (Motion):
Discussion and Input.
BACKGROUND:
Oregon City has been a Tree City USA since 2012. We have twice won a Growth Award. The Tree City USA program has been greening up cities and towns across America since 1976. It is a nationwide movement that provides the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their public trees.
Staff is in the process of completing the annual Tree City USA application to the Arbor Day Foundation. Website: https://www.arborday.org/programs/treecityusa/index.cfm
Oregon City 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.
In the case of Oregon City, three city departments share responsibility with our residents for maintaining our city's urban forest canopy - Planning, Public Works and Parks and Recreation. The Natural Resources Committee serves as the City's tree board. Additionally, we partner with other agencies and non-profits such as Oregon City Parks Foundation, Friends of Trees and Greater Oregon City Watershed Council, volunteers and residents to grow and maintain our forest canopy.
The deadline for submittal to the Arbor Day Foundation is early December.