Irving Pursues Tree City USA Designation to Beautify City

BY IRVING WEEKLY STAFF

Irving, Texas. January 21, 2010 – The Parks and Building Maintenance Department is spearheading the city’s efforts to achieve national designation from the Texas Forest Service as a Tree City USA.

“Trees provide cleaner air, shadier streets and add to the aesthetic beauty of the community, and we’re excited to add the pursuit of the Tree City USA designation to the city’s list of initiatives that promote environmental sustainability,” said Chris Michalski, parks and building maintenance director. “Achieving this designation will demonstrate that Irving is a community that really cares about its environment.”

During the past year, through regular business operations, Irving exceeded the financial requirements to obtain the Tree City USA designation. In support of the Tree City USA initiative, the city hosted its first Arbor Day Celebration. In addition, the city will review its Tree Ordinance and propose to establish a new Tree Board comprised of community volunteers from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Keep Irving Beautiful and the Green Advisory Committee.

Nationwide, more than 3,000 cities participate in the Tree City USA program. Once Irving obtains its Tree City USA designation, annual observances, community forestry education programs and other initiatives that promote environmental sustainability will be ongoing to preserve the status.