Columbia's Forestry and Beautification Division receives Tree City USA Award
Contributed by Jimmy Walters

The City of Columbia has been recognized as a Tree City USA for the twenty- eighth consecutive year.

The award was presented to the Columbia City Council at the August 15 meeting by Regional Urban Forester Jimmy Walters of the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

Communities recognized as Tree City USA must meet four basic criteria annually.

•There must be a tree ordinance that provides for the protection and management of public trees.

•The community must have a tree board or department designated to oversee the tree management program.

•There must be a minimum expenditure of two dollars per capita for tree care and management, and there must be an annual Arbor Day observance, with a proclamation signed by the Mayor or other City official.

"Columbia has long recognized the need for professional management of trees as green infrastructure," Walters said. "The City of Columbia's Department of Forestry and Beautification sets a good example for other cities to follow. They are to be commended for their diligent and professional management of Columbia's urban forest."

Tree City USA is a program of the National Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

In South Carolina, the program is sponsored and supported by the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Columbia is one of 40 South Carolina communities that qualified for Tree City USA recognition for 2006.