The Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services’ Florida Forest Service has approved an Urban and Community Forestry Grant for the Village of Wellington in the amount of $12,500 for the completion of a tree inventory.
Wellington has made the protection and enhancement of its urban forest a priority. The village has been certified as a Tree City USA community for the past 20 years and received the Tree City USA Growth Award each of the past 10 years. The village has developed a successful urban tree program through the creation of a tree advisory board, tree ordinances, along with a financial commitment to enhancing the tree population.
In addition, the village and the Wellington Tree Board have created partnerships with local organizations to further its efforts. Working with the Wellington Garden Club, scout groups and local high schools, the village planted nearly 2,000 native trees and shrubs in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat. The village also engages the community, especially children, through its annual Arbor Day activities.
The current project will build on the success of the already existing urban forestry program. Once completed, Wellington’s GIS system will incorporate information for use in developing a Tree Management Plan. The project will be managed by Wellington’s Landscape/Forestry Operations Supervisor. This full-time staff member is an ISA-certified arborist with extensive experience in planning, developing and maintaining tree populations.
