Arbor Day Foundation Again Names Town of Tonawanda a Tree City USA

For the 26th consecutive year, the Town of Tonawanda has been named a 2022 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to effective urban forest management. The town achieved the recognition by meeting the program's four requirements: maintaining a tree board or department, having a tree care ordinance, dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

“If ever there was a time for trees, now is that time,” said Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Joseph Emminger. “Communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, energy use, and extreme heat and flooding. The Town of Tonawanda is doing its part to address these challenges for residents both now and in the future.”

The Town of Tonawanda Forestry Department is responsible for planting and maintaining 31,000 trees in the public rights of way, pruning, and removing dead trees and trees that are endangering public health or property, and identifying the sites where there are few trees and planting new trees, so town residents continue to enjoy the benefits of an urban forestry.

“With the help of volunteers, Tonawanda Boys and Girls Club, Praxair, Ken-Sheridan Garden Club, Kenmore Garden Club, Boy Scout Troup 229, and students from the University at Buffalo School of Management, we have grown and planted trees throughout the Riverside area over the last 10 years,” said Brian E. Fittry, deputy superintendent of Highways for the town. “The trees were grown in our nursery at the Tonawanda Boys and Girls Club. We also plant approximately 250 trees each year through budgeted money and with Grants we receive through the DEC. These efforts help us receive these awards.”

"Tree City USA communities see the positive effects of an urban forest firsthand," said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. "The trees being planted and cared for by the Town of Tonawanda 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."

The Town of Tonawanda will celebrate Arbor Day at 9 a.m., on Friday, Apr. 28, with the dedication of three newly planted trees outside the DFK Pavilion (1200 Parker Blvd. near
Decatur Rd.)