The city of Brentwood has been named a 2024 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, continuing its legacy for the 36th year, in recognition of its commitment to effective urban forest management, the City of Brentwood's website announced.
To qualify for this accolade, Brentwood consistently meets the Arbor Day Foundation's four requirements, maintaining a tree board or department and having a tree care ordinance, they also allocate an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capital and host an Arbor Day event along with a proclamation, as per the foundation's stipulations; it's a demonstration of the City of Brentwood's dedication to fostering green spaces and promoting environmental stewardship among its residents.
The upcoming Arbor Day celebration, a hallmark of community engagement, is scheduled for Saturday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the John P. Holt Brentwood Library, as the City of Brentwood states, "Family Tree – Many Branches of Opportunity," is this year's theme, aiming to connect the community through the beauty and diversity of trees.
Lynn Tucker, chair of the Tree Board, enthused about the event, "Brentwood’s Arbor Day event is a fun and educational event where residents learn about and celebrate the trees that make this community so special," and Tucker went on to express excitement for attendees to come together enjoy free ice cream and snacks, and take home a free tree to help enhance our urban canopy," demonstrating the event's community-oriented spirit and its emphasis on conservation education, all while honoring the service of former City Manager Kirk Bednar, who retired in February after more than two decades of service by dedicating a tree to him, as stated by the City of Brentwood.
The National Arbor Day Foundation has been advocating for urban forestry and recognizing cities like Brentwood that take active steps in greening their communities for over 40 years, entities like Brentwood which Michelle Saulnier, vice president of programs at the Arbor Day Foundation, champions as critical to "building resiliency and fostering good health in our nation’s cities," setting a precedent for urban environmental initiative that has tangible benefits for city dwellers, as per the City of Brentwood.
Residents can look forward to a variety of environmental vendors, free ice cream, and the continuing tradition of receiving a free tree seedling at the 2025 Arbor Day celebration, a gesture that not only symbolizes but actually contributes to Brentwood's ongoing commitment to tree conservation and community well-being.
