The city of Southfield was awarded the Tree City USA Growth Award and designated as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation, a non-profit organization established to help people plant and care for trees.
The award was sponsored in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service and recognizes the ongoing forestry efforts of municipal communities. Southfield demonstrated excellence in its community forestry program in the following areas: education and public relations, local awards program, youth education, planning and management, municipal funding, tree planting and maintenance and street tree planting. The City also met the four required standards for designation as a Tree City USA with its existing tree board or department, tree care ordinance, comprehensive community forestry program and Arbor Day observance. As a proud Tree City USA Award recipient for the past 24 consecutive years, Southfield is committed to protecting green spaces with nearly 800 acres of park land including 400 acres of woodlands and wetlands set aside for preservation.
“The Parks and Recreation Department strives to create community through our people, parks and programs,” said Parks and Recreation Director Bill Waterhouse. “It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized for our community forestry efforts that help us do just that.”