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Marysville declared Tree City USA by National Arbor Day Foundation The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. Marysville met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community. Communities must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. “The city is proud to receive this award,” says Mayor Dennis Kendall. “Designation as a Tree City recognizes the work of citizens, community volunteers, civic groups, City elected leaders and staff, and others who plant and care for the community’s trees all year-round.” The Mayor at the March 22, 2010 City Council meeting proclaimed April 10 as Arbor Day in Marysville, with many group tree plantings scheduled on that day and over the following two weeks. Puget Sound Energy (pictured right), for example, donated shade trees to plant at Strawberry Fields for Rover Off-Leash Dog Park, assisted by Marysville Dog Owners Group and Camp Fire USA. Below, Marysville Kiwanis Club members planted trees at the entrance to their namesake park in the Sunnyside area. The City has regularly coordinated major tree planting projects with nonprofit and business partners that can be seen in places such as Jennings Memorial and Jennings Nature Park, and other parks and play areas around Marysville. Parks and Recreation Director Jim Ballew says trees are an important asset in Marysville for a variety of reasons. “They beautify our community, enhance the economic vitality of our business areas, increase property values, promote cleaner air, and provide shelter and habitat to all sorts of local wildlife,” Ballew says. The Community Development Department, City Council and Planning Commission have reinforced their commitment to urban forestry by adopting landscaping development and design standards that encourage retention of native trees when projects are built, and incorporating trees and vegetation in other street-side urban design projects. A total of 977 trees were planted in 2009 through residential, commercial and various construction projects as well as organized community plantings through the year, Ballew says. Kendall thanked builders and the development community for their concentrated efforts to partner with the City to incorporate trees and landscaping into their projects. ---PAGE BREAK--- “We commend Marysville’s elected officials, volunteers and its citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest,” said John Rosenow, Chief Executive and founder of the Arbor Day foundation. “Trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits to millions of people each day, and we applaud communities that make planting and caring for trees a top priority.” Communities like Marysville that earn Tree City USA recognition not only have taken the time to meet the four standards, they know that trees: • Promote healthier communities by filtering the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles. • Moderate climate, conserve water and provide vital habitat for wildlife. • Reduce the heat island effect in urban areas caused by pavement and buildings. • Increase property values and reduce energy use and add beauty to our homes and neighborhoods.