GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. — Ahead of Arbor Day, Green Cove Springs is celebrating another milestone: 36 consecutive years with the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA designation.
“We are honored to receive this recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation for the past 36 years and extend our gratitude for the critical work they do daily. The City remains committed to protecting our trees and inspiring the community to join us in these efforts,” stated Green Cove Springs City Manager Steve Kennedy.
Read: INVESTIGATES: Jacksonville’s Tree Fund making changes to take $34M to put more trees in the ground
This distinction celebrates a city’s dedication to planting, growing, and maintaining trees for the betterment of its community and environment. To earn the recognition, a city must adhere to four core standards: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and participating in an Arbor Day celebration.
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The foundation maintains a database of all of its awardees, with several Northeast Florida cities among them.
In order of most years recognized:
Orange Park: 43 years
St. Augustine: 41 years, 29 years of Growth Award
Jacksonville Beach: 35 years
Jacksonville: 27 years
City of Palatka: 31 Years
Neptune Beach: 23 years
Fernandina Beach: 22 years, 3 years of Growth Award
Lake City: 22 Years
Crescent City: 19 years
Read: City of St. Augustine to celebrate Arbor Day
Both St. Augustine (29 years) and Fernandina Beach (3 years) went above and beyond to receive the Arbor Day Foundation’s Growth Award. They’re recognized as communities providing ‘outstanding tree care and community engagement’ during the calendar year.
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