The Arbor Day Foundation has named Sanford a Tree City USA in recognition of the commitment shown in 2024 to plant, grow, and maintain trees to benefit our community.
Sanford first earned its Tree City USA designation in 2014 and has maintained its status each year since. To achieve the recognition, cities must appoint a tree board or department, create a tree care ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and participate in an Arbor Day celebration.
“We all have a role to play in shaping our future, and tree champions like Sanford are leading the way,” said Michelle Saulnier, Vice President of Programs at the Arbor Day Foundation.
“Trees are critical infrastructure for all communities, including ours,” says City Planner Liz Whitmore, who manages Sanford’s Tree City USA program as liaison to the Sanford Appearance Commission. “We’re proud of the work being done in Sanford to protect greenspace, add to the tree canopy, and invest in our future.”
The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. Its Tree City USA program is operated in partnership with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.
To learn more about Sanford’s tree program, visit www.sanfordnc.net/trees. To learn more about the Arbor Day Foundation and its programs, visit www.arborday.org.