Statement to City Council
Many of you are probably aware that Huntsville is designated a “Tree City USA.” We’ve been one for 28 years. I appreciate that, because I really value trees. They provide so many benefits and are a huge contributor to our quality of life.
The National Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City designation is based on four standards: having a Tree Commission, having tree-related ordinances in the municipal code, holding an annual Arbor Day observance, all of which we do, and are good. The fourth standard is to fund urban forestry work at a level of $2 per capita per year. With our population now almost 200,000, that would mean $400,000 a year. I don’t know what the actual spending is, but my gut feeling, plus comments I’ve gotten from city officials, is that current funding is not adequate to do all that they would like to do and that many of us would like to see being done.
That’s one of the main reasons I decided to undertake a petition effort, to try to get urban tree conservation in Huntsville elevated to a higher priority.
Besides calling for more funding, the petition proposes a couple other specific actions. Time doesn’t permit me to go into details, but I’d be
happy to share it with anyone who’s interested. With both hard copy and digital versions in circulation, it’s received over 560 signatures and over 90 comments -- reasons for why people signed it. I’ve provided a copy to the Council. I really hope this effort will make a positive difference, even though it may take years to see results. That’s because planting trees is something mainly done to benefit future generations.
Lastly, I hope many of you have had a chance to look out over Huntsville from the top floor of one of our tall downtown buildings. Seeing the sweep of greenery is breathtaking. That is a priceless asset we NEED to protect and preserve. I think of the term “Habitat for Humanity.” It’s the name of an organization, of course. But I believe what we all want is for our city to be a hospitable habitat for humanity. Creating and maintaining a verdant environment, with a healthy tree population, is vital to such a habitat. And I think that is one of the ways we can strive to be the best city in Alabama. Thank you.
The National Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City designation is based on four standards: having a Tree Commission, having tree-related ordinances in the municipal code, holding an annual Arbor Day observance, all of which we do, and are good. The fourth standard is to fund urban forestry work at a level of $2 per capita per year. With our population now almost 200,000, that would mean $400,000 a year. I don’t know what the actual spending is, but my gut feeling, plus comments I’ve gotten from city officials, is that current funding is not adequate to do all that they would like to do and that many of us would like to see being done.
That’s one of the main reasons I decided to undertake a petition effort, to try to get urban tree conservation in Huntsville elevated to a higher priority.
Besides calling for more funding, the petition proposes a couple other specific actions. Time doesn’t permit me to go into details, but I’d be
happy to share it with anyone who’s interested. With both hard copy and digital versions in circulation, it’s received over 560 signatures and over 90 comments -- reasons for why people signed it. I’ve provided a copy to the Council. I really hope this effort will make a positive difference, even though it may take years to see results. That’s because planting trees is something mainly done to benefit future generations.
Lastly, I hope many of you have had a chance to look out over Huntsville from the top floor of one of our tall downtown buildings. Seeing the sweep of greenery is breathtaking. That is a priceless asset we NEED to protect and preserve. I think of the term “Habitat for Humanity.” It’s the name of an organization, of course. But I believe what we all want is for our city to be a hospitable habitat for humanity. Creating and maintaining a verdant environment, with a healthy tree population, is vital to such a habitat. And I think that is one of the ways we can strive to be the best city in Alabama. Thank you.
[N.B. There was no indication of any reaction or response as a result of the petition being submitted.]
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