We’ve joined an international network of cities dedicated to fostering and promoting the best urban tree management practices in the world!
The Arbor Day Foundation made the announcement in recognition of our planting programme, tree protection and ongoing maintenance of our urban forest. Wrexham joins Newport as the only other city in Wales recognised with this honour and is one of only 169 cities in 21 countries across the world!
To earn Tree Cities of the World recognition, cities and towns had demonstrate commitment by meeting five standards:
- establish responsibility for the care of trees
- set arboricultural strategy and policy to govern the asset and risk management of forests woodlands and trees
- maintain an updated inventory of local tree resources
- allocate resources for a tree management plan
- hold annual events celebrating trees and their benefits to educate schools and communities
The Arbor Day Foundation is the world’s largest non-profit membership organization dedicated to planting trees. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Both organizations came together in 2019 to found Tree Cities of the World. The programme is a global effort to recognise cities and towns committed to ensuring that their urban forests and trees are properly maintained, sustainably managed and duly celebrated.
“Trees are important to people, no matter what country they are from or what language they speak, said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “We all want to live in a city that is healthy, resilient, and beautiful – trees serve as a common language to make that possible. Being recognised in the Tree Cities of the World programme means that your city is committing to go above and beyond to define trees as critical green infrastructure for your citizens.”
Cllr Terry Evans, Lead Member for Planning said, “We are delighted that Wrexham has been recognized as a Tree City of the World. We are proud to join a global network of towns and cities dedicated to protecting and enhancing their tree stock and promoting the values of trees through community engagement and good asset management.
“Our tree planting schemes throughout this autumn and winter have seen over 10,000 trees planted throughout the county. We have planted a variety of tree species from native broadleaved whips to large standard trees as well as several fruit orchards. This supports our ongoing and ambitious efforts to establish an increased canopy cover across Wrexham to 20% by 2026.
Darren Williams, Chief Officer, Environment and Technical, said, “Receiving the title of Tree City of The world is in recognition for the hard work and efforts of staff and volunteers in recent years to plant, protect and manage the trees so vital for our health and well-being and for that of our local economy.
“We gratefully accept this prestigious recognition and will continue in our commitment to the protection and enhancement of the individual trees and woodlands which collectively create Wrexham’s urban forest. “
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