Contact Information Date
For Immediate Release
Contact: Gregg O’Donnell 434.220.9098		 December 12, 2011
VDOF 11056

57 Virginia Communities Earn Tree City USA Status

Ceremonies celebrating Tree City USA took place in 57 communities across Virginia. The towns, cities and military installations that have achieved Tree City USA certification satisfy guidelines from the Arbor Day Foundation.

“Trees are much more than a pretty face,” said Barbara White, urban and community forester with the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF). “They’re vital to our quality of life and the environment – trees are part of our ‘green infrastructure.’ They help clean the air we breathe and the water we drink. And, when properly placed beside a home, trees can even help us conserve energy.” The NASA Langley Research Center and the Town of Broadway are new to the list this year.

The 2011 designees are listed (on the next page). Criteria include: having a Tree Board or Department; a Tree Care Ordinance; a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

To learn how your community can become a Tree City USA, visit the Arbor Day Foundation at http://www.arborday.org/index.cfm or contact your local VDOF forester.

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The Virginia Department of Forestry protects and develops healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians. Headquartered in Charlottesville, the Agency has forestry staff members assigned to every county to provide service to citizens of the Commonwealth. VDOF is an equal opportunity provider.

With nearly 16 million acres of forestland and more than 144,000 Virginians employed in forestry, forest products and related industries, Virginia forests provide more than $27.5 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth.

Tree City USA Communities

Community Years
Abingdon, Town of

10

Alexandria, City of

28

Arlington, County of

15

Ashland, Town of

20

Blacksburg, Town of

21

Broadway, Town of

1

Buchanan, Town of

4

Charlottesville, City of

5

Chesapeake, City of

25

Danville, City of

19

Fairfax, City of

24

Fairfax, County of

28

Falls Church, City of

33

Farmville, Town of

5

Fort Monroe US Army

24

Franklin, City of

27

Fredericksburg, City of

25

Front Royal, Town of

12

Harrisonburg, City of

7

Herndon, Town of

22

Langley AFB

12

Leesburg, Town of

22

Lexington, City of

11

Little Creek-Fort Story

14

Luray, Town of

11

Lynchburg, City of

29

Manassas, City of

21

Marion, Town of

9

Martinsville

5

Middleburg, Town of

10

NAS Oceana

17

NAS Oceana Dam Neck Annex

11

NASA Langley Research Center

1

Naval Station Norfolk

9

Naval Support Activity Norfolk

2

Naval Weapons Station, Cheatham Annex

3

Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown

3

NAVSUPPACT NW Annex

9

Newport News, City of

28

Norfolk, City of

24

Onancock, Town of

21

Portsmouth, City of

28

Purcellville, Town of

5

Reston, Community of

17

Richmond, City of

20

Roanoke, City of

16

Roanoke, County of

13

Salem, City of

12

Staunton, City of

16

Surface Combat System Center Wallops Is

15

Vienna, Town of

10

Vinton, Town of

9

Virginia Beach, City of

31

Warrenton, Town of

13

Waynesboro, City of

21

Winchester, City of

29

Woodstock Town of

6

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