21 UK cities recognised as "Tree Cities of the World"
The Arbor Day Foundation and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations has recognised 21 UK towns and cities as ‘Tree Cities of the World’, which sees those selected join an international network of towns and cities dedicated to fostering the best urban forestry practices.
The Arbor Day Foundation is the world’s largest non-profit membership organisation dedicated to planting trees. The Food and Agriculture Organisation is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
The organisations came together in 2019 to establish Tree Cities of the World, a programme that is a global effort to recognise cities and towns who are committed to ensuring that their urban forests and trees are properly maintained, sustainably managed, and duly celebrated.
To earn this recognition, each Council has pledged their commitment to meeting five programme standards that demonstrates their dedication and determination towards planting and conserving trees for a greener future.
Dan Lambe, Chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation said:
“Trees are important to people, no matter what country they are from or what language they speak. 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 going above and beyond to define trees as critical green infrastructure for your citizens.”
Environmental charity Trees for Cities leads the promotion of the Tree Cities of the World programme in the UK and has been encouraging and supporting councils to achieve the award. The charity says when properly planted, established and maintained, urban trees provide multiple benefits to people and places: helping improve visual appeal, offering shade, removing air pollutants and providing wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.
The recognised UK councils include Rother District Council (Bexhill-on-Sea), Birmingham City Council, Bradford City Council, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, London Borough of Camden, Coventry City Council, London Borough of Ealing, Hull City Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Leeds City Council, Middlesbrough Council, Newport City Council, Portsmouth City Council, London Borough of Redbridge, Sheffield City Council, Solihull Council, Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, Tower Hamlets Council, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, Wrexham County Borough Council.
Kate Sheldon, Chief executive at Trees for Cities adds:
"Tree Cities of the World creates a wonderful global network to promote urban forestry and celebrate our unique urban tree heritage. Trees for Cities warmly congratulates all the UK Tree Cities, and we’re delighted to welcome new Tree Cities to the community: Tower Hamlets, Newport, Telford and Wrexham. We’re particularly pleased to have worked with Bexhill, Hull, Portsmouth and Stockton through our new coastal urban forest programme."
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