CITY OF CEDAR KEY AWARDED “TREE CITY USA “DESIGNATION2023 June 22
On Tuesday June 20, the City of Cedar Key was acknowledged as a “Tree City USA” by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Established in 1976, the Tree City program was established by the National Arbor Day Foundation to create a greener America. The program now recognizes 3600 communities in all 50 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. And Cedar Key is now one of those communities!
In order to receive the annual Tree City recognition a city or community must meet four overarching standards. They include:
• Maintaining a tree board or department
• Having a community tree ordinance
• Spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry
• Celebrating Arbor Day
Additionally, the City of Cedar Key also maintains a Heritage Tree identification program. This program identifies and maintains the health of island trees. This care includes visits from Arborists and even a “hospice” type care such as propping up vital limbs in order to extend longevity. Cedar Key now joins the 163 cities and communities in Florida with the new Tree City Designation.
The City of Cedar Key is grateful for the city staff, our arborist contractors, and Arbor Day volunteers as this recognition could not have been achieved without you.
Pictured here: Accepting the award on behalf of the city are Mary Prescott, who shepherded the project from start to finish, and Vice-Mayor Nany Sera.
Pictures courtesy of City of Cedar Key staff.
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