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Green Works Orlando Green Updates

April 2008

April 25
Tree City USA

For the thirtieth consecutive year, the City of Orlando’s Families, Parks and Recreation Department has received the Tree City USA Award sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation. This program recognizes communities that prioritize its urban forestry program ensuring a viable tree management plan. Orlando has continually met the four standards established by the Arbor Day Foundation and National Association of State Foresters.

These standards include:

Conducting an annual Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
Maintaining a tree care ordinance.
Maintaining an active tree board or department.
Committing at least $2 per capita to its tree canopy.

For the seventeenth consecutive year the City has received the Tree City Growth Award for outstanding achievements in the areas of:

Education and Public Relations
Partnerships
Planning and Management

These awards represent a significant achievement and reflect the commitment of the Mayor, City Council and staff in exceeding the highest principles of urban forestry through professional forestry programs, education, public awareness and pride in our tree canopy.

Orlando Awarded STRATUM Grant

A $35,792 grant has been awarded to the City of Orlando by the State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Forestry.  Through this grant, Orlando will be the reference city for a STRATUM (Street Tree Research and Analysis Tool for Urban Forest Managers) study on the Central Florida climate.

Approximately 200 randomly generated research plots (roughly 900 trees sampled) will yield the raw data which will then be scientifically analyzed under the direction of Dr. Greg McPherson at the Center for Urban Forest Research located in Davis, California.  This research study will provide a quantitative basis for assessing impacts of increased tree canopy cover on storm water runoff, energy use, air pollutants and human health. 

April 4
Orlando Designated as Solar American City

The City of Orlando was one of eleven cities designated by the U.S. Department of Energy as a Solar American City. This designation recognizes Orlando’s commitment and comprehensive approach to the deployment of solar technologies. The City will also receive a $200,000 grant to fund further solar projects. The Department of Energy is using this initiative to promote solar power and make it a normal energy choice instead of an “alternative” solution. For more information on DOE’s Solar America Cities Program, visit: www.SolarAmericaCities.energy.gov.