Newberry Named Tree City USA For Sixth Consecutive Year
The City of Newberry was named a 2024 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management. This is the sixth consecutive year the city has received this recognition. There are 43 communities designated as Tree City USA communities for 2024 in South Carolina.
The Tree City USA program was founded in 1976 to celebrate towns and citizens committed to growing their urban canopy. Led by the Arbor Day Foundation, with partners at USDA Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters, it provides the foundational framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their tree cover, according to their program summary.
Mayor Foster Senn said the City of Newberry was proud to be named a Tree City again.
“With all of the tree loss in Newberry from Hurricane Helene, planting new trees will be even more of an emphasis than previously,” Senn said. “Whether it’s the city applying for grants for tree planting or encouraging residents and businesses to plant trees on their properties, what we do now, and each year will beautify Newberry for decades to come.”
The City of Newberry achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
Dena Whitesides, an urban forester with the SC Forestry Commission serves as a liaison for the Arbor Day Foundation in support of the Tree City USA Program. In this role, the forestry commission oversees applications and materials and provides guidance to communities on achieving the program requirements.
Whitesides said the SC Forestry Commission applauds the efforts of the City of Newberry on achieving this designation for the sixth consecutive year.
“Properly cared for trees improve the environment, most notably by providing cleaner air and water, mitigating storm water to avert water pollution and flooding, and boosting local economies by increasing property value and attracting relocating residents and business owners,” Whitesides said. “More visitors and tourists are also drawn to cities that offer healthy, attractive tree canopies and an oasis of shade to enjoy during shopping excursions and other outdoor activities.”
In addition to stimulating physical and cardiovascular health, Whitesides said spending times amongst trees and nature improves mental health and well-being by reducing symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD.
Whitesides said she thanks the City of Newberry for their continued leadership in pursuance of the program designation, ensuring requirements have been met, for understanding the importance of community trees and prioritizing the Tree City USA designation for Newberry.
More information on the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.
The City of Newberry was named a 2024 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management. This is the sixth consecutive year the city has received this recognition. There are 43 communities designated as Tree City USA communities for 2024 in South Carolina.
The Tree City USA program was founded in 1976 to celebrate towns and citizens committed to growing their urban canopy. Led by the Arbor Day Foundation, with partners at USDA Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters, it provides the foundational framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their tree cover, according to their program summary.
Mayor Foster Senn said the City of Newberry was proud to be named a Tree City again.
“With all of the tree loss in Newberry from Hurricane Helene, planting new trees will be even more of an emphasis than previously,” Senn said. “Whether it’s the city applying for grants for tree planting or encouraging residents and businesses to plant trees on their properties, what we do now, and each year will beautify Newberry for decades to come.”
The City of Newberry achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
Dena Whitesides, an urban forester with the SC Forestry Commission serves as a liaison for the Arbor Day Foundation in support of the Tree City USA Program. In this role, the forestry commission oversees applications and materials and provides guidance to communities on achieving the program requirements.
Whitesides said the SC Forestry Commission applauds the efforts of the City of Newberry on achieving this designation for the sixth consecutive year.
“Properly cared for trees improve the environment, most notably by providing cleaner air and water, mitigating storm water to avert water pollution and flooding, and boosting local economies by increasing property value and attracting relocating residents and business owners,” Whitesides said. “More visitors and tourists are also drawn to cities that offer healthy, attractive tree canopies and an oasis of shade to enjoy during shopping excursions and other outdoor activities.”
In addition to stimulating physical and cardiovascular health, Whitesides said spending times amongst trees and nature improves mental health and well-being by reducing symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD.
Whitesides said she thanks the City of Newberry for their continued leadership in pursuance of the program designation, ensuring requirements have been met, for understanding the importance of community trees and prioritizing the Tree City USA designation for Newberry.
More information on the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.
