The City of Renton is among the first four municipalities to be named an Evergreen Community by the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as part of a new program that recognizes Washington cities, counties and Tribes for “demonstrated commitment to maintaining and improving the urban and community forests under their jurisdictions.”
On Oct. 1, the launch of the program took place at Renton City Hall, where Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone spoke about the importance of planning urban forestry, along with Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz and State Rep. Bill Ramos.
“The city places high importance on its urban forest management and we view it truly as an essential public service,” said Pavone. “Our recognition as an Evergreen Community highlights Renton’s deep commitment to creating a greener, healthier, and more sustainable environment. Together, we’ve planted strong roots, and together, we will ensure that Renton continues to thrive as a vibrant, sustainable community for years to come.”
According to the DNR, participants in the new program can achieve Evergreen Community status by “taking actions that emphasize the importance of urban tree inventories, urban forest management plans, and outreach to vulnerable populations” while also requiring that there is a public tree care ordinance and the spending of $2 minimum per capita on urban forests.
Now that Renton, along with Ellensburg, Lake Forest Park and Walla Walla, has reached Evergreen Community status, the city is entitled to increased consideration or preference as applicants for several state grant programs by DNR, the Washington State Department of Ecology, Washington State Department of Commerce, Washington State Conservation Commission and Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.
Following the reception, the city led a tour of Philip Arnold Park on Jones Avenue, highlighting the park’s example of natural resource conservation.
Renton’s Urban and Community Forestry department holds several programs, including the maintaining and management of public trees, private property trees (as regulated to an extent to prevent unnecessary damage or removal), the 90-minute Historical Tree Tour of downtown Renton, the Street Tree Maintenance Program, Tree Watering Program and the city’s Urban Forest Management Plan, which “aims to ensure the safety, well-being, and economic future of Renton’s citizens and preserve the sustainability of the urban forest. The plan proposes steps to protect trees and the health of Renton’s citizens through urban forestry services.”
