Arbor Day Foundation names Lufkin Tree City USA for 30th Year
Pictured: AB/C board members, presenting sponsor Sterling Solutions, and Lufkin City Council members.
[LUFKIN, TX – July 21, 2020] Angelina Beautiful/Clean (AB/C), presenting sponsor Sterling Solutions, and the Texas A&M Forest Service was honored to present the City of Lufkin recognition for celebrating 30 years as a Tree City USA award recipient. Mayor, Bob Brown, and city council members accepted the commemoration at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The Arbor Day Foundation honors cities that have a commitment towards effective urban forest management by meeting four core requirements: an active tree board/department, a tree-care ordinance, and annual community forestry budget and an Arbor Day observance.
The celebration of trees and Arbor Day in Lufkin includes a free tree seedling giveaway held annually in partnership with the Texas A&M Forest Service. Each year over 2,000 tree seedlings are given away to promote environmental stewardship, provide educational interaction with area foresters, and be a resource for planting new trees or replenishing trees damaged by drought or storm damage.
An Arbor Day ceremony is also held at a local school where attendees get the opportunity to hear a wonderful message surrounding trees, the importance they bring to our physical health, mental well-being, and the region’s economy.
More than 135,000,000 people living in more than 3,400 towns and cities benefit from cleaner air, shade, lower energy costs, and storm water control through the vital urban forest management framework provided by the Tree City USA community improvement program. As the weather starts to warm up, studies indicate that as few as three additional trees planted around each building in the United States could save $2 billion annually in energy costs.
Trees are assets to a community when properly planted and maintained. They help to improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home and business cooling costs, remove air pollutants, and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.
Per Emily Thornton, AB/C Executive Director, “Lufkin is the ninth oldest Tree City in the state of Texas. This distinction is such an honor, and it is just another reason why Lufkin is such a special place. This award represents more than just care of trees in our community, it extends to the care that is invested into our community to keep it a beautiful place to live, work, and play. The 30 years that Lufkin has been recognized is a true testament to the heritage of the region and the commitment to its future.”
About the Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit, environmental and education organization of more than one million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the foundation can be found at www.arborday.org.
About Angelina Beautiful/Clean
Working in Angelina County since 1984, Angelina Beautiful/Clean (AB/C) has a mission to educate and empower East Texans to take responsibility for enhancing their community environment and serves Angelina County to help make it a cleaner, greener place to live, work and play. AB/C cultivates programs, services and education around litter reduction, recycling, and beautification. It is an affiliate of Keep Texas Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful.
For more information about Angelina Beautiful/Clean, please contact Emily Thornton at 936-63CLEAN (936-632-5326), visit www.angelinabeautifulclean.org or follow on Facebook.