Unley recognised as a 'Tree City of the World'

Published on 12 February 2020

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the Arbor Day Foundation, has recognized the City of Unley with Tree Cities of the World designation. The international program celebrates cities that meet core standards for the care and planning of urban trees and forests.
 
“The Tree Cities of the World program recognizes the efforts cities take toward greener, healthier communities,” said Hiroto Mitsugi, Assistant Director General, Forestry Department, FAO.  “The most successful urban landscapes are those that have factored trees into the plan. We applaud Unley’s work to plant and care for its urban trees.”
 
Trees provide multiple benefits to a city when properly planted and maintained. They help to improve the visual appeal of a neighbourhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.
 
 “Unley joins cities around the world that have taken steps toward robust and healthy city forests,” said Dan Lambe, President, Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees clean our air and water, provide shade and beautify the places we live and work. This designation signifies the City of Unley’s commitment to being a healthier, happier city.”
 
Unley Mayor Michael Hewitson said he was pleased to be in the trio of neighbouring South Australian cities, along with Burnside and Mitcham, to be recognised for trees and what they offer communities.
 
“I’m thrilled that our Councils, which are geographically close and have such a working synergy and understanding between us on this issue, have been identified as the first places in our nation to lay claim to the title of Tree Cities,” Mayor Hewitson said.
 
“Everyone who knows me knows I am passionate about wanting to see tree cover in Unley restored to former levels and to reverse the loss of trees on private property.”
 
The Tree Cities of the World program is built off the success of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program, which has provided recognition to cities in the United States for more than 40 years.
 
To achieve recognition, the City of Unley met the five core standards: establish responsibility, set the rules, know what you have, allocate the resources and celebrate achievements. 
 
The vision of the Tree Cities of the World program is to connect cities in a global network dedicated to sharing and adopting the most successful approaches to managing city trees and forests.
 
More information is available from the Tree Cities of the World website.