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By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Columbiana’s Music on Main event was the host of a celebratory presentation on the night of Friday, July 12 when the city was officially declared a part of Tree City USA by the Alabama Forestry Commission.

With Dave Holley of the AFC present at the event to deliver the Tree City USA flag and other merchandise, Columbiana Mayor David Mitchell spoke to the gathered crowd on the achievement and credited the work that had allowed the city to gain the accreditation.

“Columbiana is thrilled to have been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a ‘Tree City USA’,” Mitchell said. “The trees in our City are a significant contributor to the quality of life that our residents enjoy and, by becoming a Tree City, Columbiana ensures that quality of life and beauty for generations to come.”

Following those remarks, Holley presented Mitchell with an official plaque marking the achievement that was accomplished after months of hard work and dedication.

“The application process began in 2023 and the Columbiana Beautification Board led the charge,” said Lisa Davis, president of the Columbiana Beautification Board.

Those efforts included the accomplishment of a line of pre-requisites such as organizing a celebration of arbor day, spending at least $2 per citizen of the municipality on urban forestry, maintaining a tree board and the establishment of a community tree ordinance.

“I want to thank the Columbiana Beautification Board for spearheading this initiative and thanks to our city council for its commitment to the requirements to maintain our designation as a Tree City.”

The Beautification Board, which now serves in the added capacity as the city’s tree board, was also integral in the passage of the city’s tree ordinance in late 2023.

“The Beautification Board has (also) held two Arbor Day celebration sapling giveaways in collaboration with the Alabama Forestry Commission and both have had much success,” Davis said. “Residents have been excited about the event and turnout reflects that.”

Currently, the board is already in the midst of planning another sapling giveaway this upcoming February, which will be the first done with Tree City USA flags flying in Columbiana.

“Columbiana is dedicated to keeping our community safe, thriving and beautiful and being part of the Tree City USA organization proves our commitment to our environment,” Davis said. “We look forward to our future and showing the pride in our community with our new signs, plaque and flag.”