The City of Valdosta was honored on Feb. 19 by the Georgia Forestry Commission as a Tree City USA community for its 30th consecutive year at the annual Arbor Day event, sponsored by the Valdosta Tree Commission. The event was held at the American Legion Post 13.

Valdosta received the Tree City USA award for meeting four standards including designating a Tree Commission, passing a tree care ordinance, establishing a comprehensive community forestry program, and proclaiming and hosting an Arbor Day celebration.

Of the 536 cities in the state of Georgia, only 135 cities have been designated Tree City USA communities—and only nine of the 135 cities have held the honor for 30 consecutive years or more. Valdosta City Manager Larry Hanson, who accepted the Tree City USA designation on behalf of the city of Valdosta, said the designation is a significant accomplishment that shows the long-term commitment that Valdosta has made to the investment of its trees and natural resources.
 
At the event, Valdosta State University was recognized for its fourth year as a Tree Campus USA, making it one of 12 colleges and universities in Georgia with this designation. Georgia Power was also recognized as the only utility company in the state as a Tree Line USA recipient for its eighth year. Valdosta is one of the first communities in the state to achieve all three designations—Tree City, Tree Campus and Tree Line—at the same time.
 
“Today is such a beautiful day and one so worthy of this celebration,” said Larry Hanson. “It is an incredible honor for our city, VSU and Georgia Power to all be recognized for our collective commitment to trees and to their important role in the appearance and beauty of our city, the benefits they bring to our air quality and our environment, and their importance in making our city and the campus a place people want to call home.”
 
At the event, the Valdosta Tree Commission presented the following awards to individuals and organizations in the community who share in the investment of our community tree canopy:
Tree Planting Award—Annie Barbas, Master Gardener
Preservation Award—First State Bank
Legacy Award—Kerry Watts, Environmental Horticulture Program Coordinator at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
 
Valdosta Mayor John Gayle presented the Valdosta Tree Commission with a proclamation in support of its beautification programs and continued commitment to our environment.
 
“I’m proud of our community’s long-standing commitment to the planting of trees, to the maintenance of our urban forest and to the overall commitment to environmental stewardship, so that our city will be green and sustainable and attractive for generations to come,” said Mayor Gayle. “That requires a community effort, one that we are fortunate to have here in Valdosta.
 
Donald Davis, Director of the Lowndes County Historical Society and Museum, was the guest speaker at the event.