SALEM — The city received the Tree City USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation last month, a designation it has received every year since 2001.
The designation has 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.
“Salem is committed to our public trees as a critical part of our climate change mitigation strategy, our beautification efforts, and our historic legacy as a green city,” said Mayor Kimberley Driscoll. “I am so grateful to the work of our Tree Commission, our Tree Department, and the many community partners and volunteers who make this important work — and the continuation of our Tree City USA designation — all possible.”
“The idea that as many of us as possible should plant and take care of trees is gaining momentum in Salem,” said Darleen Melis, chair of the Salem Tree Commission. “We are lucky to have our past accomplishments in increasing the tree canopy noticed by the Arbor Day Foundation. We also have the attention of the Commonwealth, in the form of the 2,400 trees that will be planted in our community thanks to the Greening of the Gateway Cities Program.”
Melis encouraged residents to see if they were eligible to receive a free tree planted on their property by visiting maurbancanopy.org/town/salem.
The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.
“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community firsthand,” said Dan Lambe, the foundation’s president. “The trees being planted and cared for by Salem are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program brings residents together and creates a sense of civic pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”
