Roanoke named 2024 Tree City USA by Arbor Day Foundation
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Anyone familiar with the Roanoke Valley knows the area is well recognized for sprawling mountain landscapes and forests and outdoor activities. In true Roanoke fashion, the Arbor Day Foundation has named the city a 2024 Tree City USA for planting, growing, and maintaining trees.
'We all have a role to play in shaping our future, and tree champions like Roanoke are leading the way,' said Michelle Saulnier, Vice President of Programs at the Arbor Day Foundation. 'Trees are critical infrastructure, building resiliency, and fostering good health in our nation's cities. We're proud Roanoke is among the Arbor Day Foundation's growing network of communities dedicated to creating a positive impact through trees.'
The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit organization that inspires people to plant and grow trees, and over the last 40 years, the Tree City USA program has recognized cities and towns that enhance their livability and sustainability by planting trees.
Celebrate Earth Day and a New Story Trail in Botetourt County
Arbor Day Foundation officials said trees have been proven to mitigate the effects of urban heat islands by improving mental and physical health, reducing stormwater runoff, improving air quality, reducing traffic noise, increasing property values, and lowering home energy costs.
'In the many years I've lived in Roanoke, I've come to appreciate just how deeply nature is rooted in our city's identity,' added Mayor Joe Cobb. 'Being named a Tree City USA again is not just an accolade — it's a reminder that every tree we plant is an investment in our people, our infrastructure, and our future.'
Arbor Day first started on April 10, 1872, in Nebraska to reforest parts of the Great Plains and give shelter to pioneers. The tradition is still celebrated today as a reminder and to preserve the natural beauty of parks and public lands, and support industries across the United States.
To earn Tree City USA recognition, a city must uphold four core standards, including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and participating in an Arbor Day celebration.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
22News Notebook for June 10th
The 22News Notebook is Working for You with a look at these upcoming events in our western Massachusetts area: Polish Food Sale All your favorites available! Saturday, June 14, 9AM-1PM Immaculate Conception Church 25 Parker St., Indian Orchard Bottle & Can Drive To benefit Belchertown Cub Scout Pack 507 Wednesday, June 18, 10AM-1PM Belchertown Common Main Street We're happy to help spread the word about your non-profit event. Email details at least 2 weeks in advance to: notebook@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
New fully accessible playground opens in Scranton
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A new place to play is now in Scranton. The city celebrated the grand opening of the Butterfly Playground, a fully accessible space inside Nay Aug Park designed for children and adults of all abilities. What used to be a parking lot is now a place where everyone can play. 'Oh, I've already seen the kids in here playing, and it makes you really happy. You put a smile on your face to see them enjoying it,' said volunteer Doris Koloski. The Butterfly Playground in Nay Aug Park is Scranton's newest inclusive play space, featuring accessible ramps and a merry-go-round built into the surface, so kids of all abilities can ride. 'This project has equipment that's totally handicap accessible, which we don't see enough of in our region,' said Thom Welby, vice chair of the Scranton Municipal Recreation Authority. 'I think the idea was that they could all intermingle and I'll enjoy the stuff together and not have them separated out, and just so the kids could socialize,' said Koloski. The nearly $400,000 project was funded through a state casino grant, administered by the city, with support from lawmakers and local volunteers. PHOTOS: Wilkes-Barre mural causes controversy 'The volunteers up here, they've been having donut sales, just basket raffles, bingos, anything to raise money,' explained Welby. That extra money added activity panels throughout the playground. This is just phase one. City leaders say future phases will include additional age-specific areas, all part of an all-inclusive discovery corridor. 'We added paved ADA parking spaces to the adjacent parking lot here and then added an ADA accessible route to the playground, and the pour and play system is actually a granular rubber that's bound,' said Mike Lachman, landscape architect at Barry Issett & Associates. Making it wheelchair accessible and cleaner. 'Playground projects are always the fun ones because you get to see the kids enjoy it after the fact, it's not so much the ribbon-cutting after all that's done. It's coming back out and seeing the kids run around and play on the playground,' explained Lachman. The Butterfly Playground is now open to the public at Nay Aug Park. With this ribbon cutting, Scranton sends a clear message: Play is for everyone. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fauquier County Public Schools giving out free summer meals to kids
FAUQUIER COUNTY, Va. () — Fauquier County Public Schools will be giving out free meals to children during the summer. The Summer Food Service Program is offering free to-go meal kits to children who are two to 18 years old. Meal distribution will be from Monday to Thursday, starting on June 10 until July 24. Meals will not be offered on June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. PHOTOS: Black bear travels to Herndon after traversing Maryland The kits will include breakfast and lunch for the day. On Thursdays, the kits will have meals for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Meals will be given out on a first-come-first-serve basis at these three locations: Salem Avenue (Townhomes), Marshall – 11 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Frost Street cul-de-sac (Marshall Townhomes), Marshall – 11:20 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. Marshall Community Center Library, Marshall – 11:40 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. Children are encouraged to attend in person to receive meal kits. Parents or guardians picking up meals without their children present need to show proof of eligibility. Acceptable documents for proof: A student ID A report card A health insurance card with the child's name and date of birth Any other document that reasonably identifies the child's name and age No invasive questions will be asked. The process is designed to be respectful and simple. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
