Dunwoody isn't just brimming with Southern charm; it's also flush with foliage. The city is celebrating its 12th consecutive year as a Tree City USA, an honor that spotlights its commitment to managing urban forestry. This year's nod comes with a shady addition—a ceremonial tree planting set for Georgia Arbor Day on February 16, Dunwoody officials announced.
It appears that green is the new black in Dunwoody, where trees take center stage. "We remain committed to protecting our tree canopy and finding new ways to enhance it," City of Dunwoody Arborist Amy Bledsoe told the city's news portal. Bledsoe's not just blowing smoke; she outlines the numerous benefits trees have on the community including boosting air quality, hiking up property values, slashing stress levels, and providing digs for wildlife.
The Tree City USA program isn't just a pat on the back—it's a national recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. To snag this leafy laurel, Dunwoody met four core requirements: sustaining a tree board or department, implementing a tree care ordinance, committing an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and rallying the community around an Arbor Day observance.
According to Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, communities like Dunwoody with a thriving urban forest see tangible benefits. "The trees being planted and cared for by Dunwoody are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life," Lambe shared through official channels. In their quest for a greener tomorrow, the city has partnered with Trees Atlanta and local volunteers, planting upwards of 2,000 trees, 125 of which took root during this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Dunwoody also took part in the Front Yard Tree Planting Program, offering shade trees to residents at no cost.
Mark your calendars; the tree-planting fiesta is set at 10 a.m. at Windwood Hollow Park. The city's sustainability committee, members of the City Council, and the community development department plan to roll up their sleeves alongside local residents. It's an open affair, so tree-huggers and nature enthusiasts alike are welcome to dig in and help make Dunwoody even greener.
