City Trees is a premier publication focused on urban + community forestry. In each issue, you’ll learn how to best manage the trees in your community and more!
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/677172
SMA-accredited agency? MU: For decades, Westerville has been committed to tree preservation and expanding the urban forest. Staff have always organized tree planting within the parks and helped homeowners with street trees. Until 1999, this work was completed by city employees who had other job duties in addition to basic tree maintenance. With the establishment of a division specifically tasked with tree care, Westerville established a clear direction for its urban forest operation. During the past 15 years, the division has grown its ser - vices and mission into the nationally-recognized program it is today. Here are some of Westerville's peak urban forestry moments: • The first full-time staff member was hired specif- ically for urban forestry work in 1999. By 2002, two additional full-time forestry staff were added to the division and industry equipment and tools were acquired. • An i-Tree analysis of the City's tree inventory was completed in 2008. The data from this analysis In 2010, an extensive renovation project transformed Westerville's outdoor municipal pool into an environmentally-friendly aquatic center. From the incorporation of on-site wetlands to a green roof design, the Highlands Park Aquatic Center features sustainable elements in all corners. Westerville Parks and Recreation volunteers remove invasive hon- eysuckle during the annual "Make a Difference Day" cleanup event at Boyer Nature Preserve. guided the revision of the City Tree Master Plan. The plan update was officially completed in 2015. • The City Sidewalk Reconstruction Program began in 2009 to replace every tree that gets removed. • In 2013, new technologies in tree care allowed for the retention of nearly every street tree affect- ed by the annual sidewalk program. • In 2015, Westerville's urban forestry program became SMA-accredited. We were very pleased to receive SMA accreditation because it provides some evidence that we're doing the right things with our urban forestry program. We're proud to be a part of this group of communities who have received SMA Accreditation. • Westerville celebrated 40 years as a Tree City 30 City Trees