News Release: March 12, 2020
For more information, contact:
Frank Petruzzo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Arbor Day Foundation Names Village of Babylon Tree City USA
Babylon, NY, March 12, 2020: The Village of Babylon was named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
The Village of Babylon achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
“Everyone benefits when elected officials, volunteers and committed citizens in communities like the Village of Babylon make smart investments in urban forests,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees bring shade to our homes and beauty to our neighborhoods, along with numerous economic, social and environmental benefits.”
“We began this process over eighteen months ago and partnered with the Village of Babylon to obtain this prestigious recognition,” said Chris Genzmann, board director of the Babylon Beautification Society. “We’ve been planting trees in the village since we were founded in 1971 and we are so proud to be part of this.”
Village of Babylon Trustee Mary E. Adams spearheaded the project and worked to get the village tree ordinance passed and tree board formed. “Trees are assets to a community when properly planted and maintained. They help to improve the visual appeal of neighborhoods, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat,” said Adams who oversees the village’s parks and tree program.
“It is an honor to have this incredible recognition as a Tree City USA”, said Village of Babylon Mayor Ralph A. Scordino. “On behalf of over 12,000 residents in the village and our many merchants and business I would like to personally thank the Babylon Beautification Society for sponsoring this effort and for all their hard work beautifying the Village of Babylon.”
The Babylon Beautification Society will once again sponsor the village’s Arbor Day Celebration, which will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2020 from 12 pm to 3 pm at the newly redesigned green space at Depot Place, located on the southeast corner of the LIRR station. Festivities will include live entertainment, food and beverages by The Local and free ice cream for kids. At the ceremony, the Babylon Beautification Society will dedicate the new green space to the Village of Babylon. The green space project was funded solely by the Babylon Beautification Society through fundraisers and donations.
More information on the Tree City USA program is available at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.
ABOUT THE BABYLON BEAUTIFICATION SOCIETY: The Babylon Beautification Society is a volunteer-run nonprofit community organization founded in 1971. Its mission is to support projects and initiatives that contribute to the beauty of Babylon Village. More information is available at babylonbeautification.org
ABOUT THE ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION: The Arbor Day Foundation is a million-member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information is available at arborday.org
###