Description
The Citizens' Tree Board actively encourages the planting, protecting, and maintaining of trees for long-term community benefit.
Goals
- Sponsor an annual Arbor Day event
- Increase community outreach and education regarding the value of trees, proper selection of trees, and correct methods for planting and caring for trees
- Work with local groups on projects, especially to organize invasive plant removal and native vegetation planting in accord with the department of parks, recreation and human services,
- Encourage active stewardship of the urban forest through partnering with community organizations, to include arboriculture in multiple aspects of the city
- Assist City officials in developing a tree ordinance and an Urban Forest Management Program to help preserve and protect existing trees, encourage planting of additional trees, and appropriately safeguard trees in construction areas, and encouraging the Edmonds citizenry to become active stewards of the urban forest.
- Work to develop funding sources to expand tree related programs
- Help achieve and maintain Tree City USA® status.
Background
In 2010, the Edmond City Council created a Citizens' Tree Board by Ordinance 3807. In 2016, the City Council adopted an update in the form of Ordinance No. 4034. Current authorization for the Tree Board is contained in Chapter 10.95 of the Edmonds Code.
Under the code, the Citizens' Tree Board has up to seven members plus one alternate and one nonvoting, ex officio position filled by an Edmonds City Council member. All Board members must be Edmonds residents and, if possible, represent different watersheds and neighborhoods. The code also notes a preference for members to have professional or hobbyist interest/experience in urban forestry, horticulture, habitat enviroscaping, and related plant or wildlife backgrounds. Board members are appointed for four-year terms.
The Tree Board has regular meetings on the first Thursday of each month, starting at 6:00 pm. During the first quarter of each year, the Tree Board provides an annual report to the City Council.
Edmonds earned the status of Tree City USA® in 2012.