Syracuse gets a new designation
SYRACUSE N.Y. (WSYR-TV)– The City of Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced that the city is now a member of the international program, Tree Cities of the World.
The recognition from the Arbor Foundation and Food and Agriculture Organization highlights Syracuse’s dedication to growing and maintaining its urban forestry efforts.
At this time only 39 other U. S. cities are a part of this group. Syracuse has earned recognition as a Tree City of the World in the program’s third year.
“It is a great honor to be recognized for our efforts in expanding and improving urban tree canopy initiatives in the City of Syracuse,” said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. “Syracuse has an outstanding Forestry team, and I am grateful for their work.”
The initiatives throughout 2023 that helped Syracuse receive the recognition include:
- Introducing a large-scale private property tree planting program.
- Launching the first-ever block pruning program, committing to maintaining 3,000 trees annually on a seven-year rotation, enhancing both public safety and tree health.
- Hiring personnel dedicated to design review and permit enforcement, to safeguard the integrity of tree canopy and ensure responsible development practices.
- implement an updated tree ordinance that will ensure proper protection and management of the City of Syracuse’s urban forest to meet the needs of a growing and redeveloping city.
The City of Syracuse Forestry Division operates within the Parks and Recreation Department and oversees the management of 35,000 street trees and 10,000 park trees scattered across 400 miles of road and 1,000 acres of parkland.
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