- Tree Cities of the World is a global programme “committed to inspiring cities and towns to care for and celebrate their urban tree canopy”.
- The programme was launched in 2018 at the World Forum on Urban Forests and is managed by the Food & Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (UN-FAO) and Arbor Day Foundation, a US-based not-for-profit organisation.
- Under the initiative, municipalities of any size can apply to be recognised as ‘Tree City of the World’, provided the urban community meets five core standard requirements:
- Establish Responsibility: There must be a designated ‘Tree Board’ established within municipal boundaries and declared with a written statement by city leaders. The Board can consist of a staff member, city department or a group of citizens who have been delegated the responsibility for care of trees within municipal boundaries.
- Set Rules: The city must have a law or policy in place that governs management of trees and forests. The policy should encompass rules for tree care, worker safety, best practices and industry standards, citing penalties for non-compliance.
- Know What You Have: The city must keep and update an inventory of local tree resources within the municipality. This inventory can be used to develop long-term plans for planting, tree care and removal of city trees inside city limits.
- Allocate Resources: The city should have a dedicated annual budget for implementation of urban forest and tree care management plans.
- Celebrate Achievements: The city should hold an annual celebration to raise awareness about tree management among residents and appreciate the efforts of volunteers and staff members who are instrumental in implementation of tree management plans.
|
