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Demopolis earns Tree City honors again

Jan McDonald , , , ,

For the 34th time, Demopolis has received the Tree City USA Award.

Representatives from the Alabama Forestry Commission were on hand Thursday to present a flag and stickers marking the event to the mayor and members of the city’s Department of Public Works and Beautification Commission.

From left are Katie Wiswall, Alabama Forestry Commission; Kaye Evans, Demopolis Beautification Committee; Mayor John Laney; Cindy Parker and Amy McGee, Public Works Department; Ashford Jackson, Public Works supervisor, and Billy Carlisle, Alabama Forestry Service.

The designation of Tree City is for the year 2019. Demopolis now is working to be eligible for its 35th award for 2020.

To become a Tree City, several criteria must be met, said Katie Wiswall, Partnership Coordinator with the state Forestry Commission: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.

The Tree City USA program has been greening up cities and towns across America since 1976. It is a nationwide movement that provides the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their public trees. Demopolis is one of more than 3,400 communities that have made the commitment to become a Tree City USA.