City of Green Cove Springs Honors Arbor Day and 2024 Tree USA Award

For the 36th consecutive year, the Arbor Day Foundation has recognized the City of Green Cove Springs as a 2024 Tree City USA. This distinction celebrates the city's unwavering dedication to planting, growing, and maintaining trees for the betterment of its community.

To earn the Tree City USA recognition, a city must adhere to four core standards: 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.

"We are honored to receive this recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation for the past 36 years and extend our gratitude for the critical work they do daily. The City remains committed to protecting our trees and inspiring the community to join us in these efforts," stated City Manager Steve Kennedy.

In celebration of Arbor Day and to honor this esteemed recognition, the City of Green Cove Springs, alongside the Green Cove Springs Garden Club, invites the public to a special ceremony and tree planting event. The ceremony will culminate in the planting of a bald cypress tree on Saint Mary Episcopal Church’s grounds, honoring the cherished memories of two beloved community members, Beth Pickles and Connie Arrington.

The gathering will be held at Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church, 400 Saint Johns Avenue, Green Cove Springs, on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., and will feature remarks from representatives of the Green Cove Springs Garden Club, City officials, and family members of the honorees. The event is open to the public, and all ages are welcome.

For further information or media inquiries, please contact Heather Fincher, Public Information Officer, at 904-297-7046 or hfincher@greencovesprings.com.

The Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program is operated in partnership with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. To learn more about the program or how to apply, visit www.arborday.org.