Tree City USA Ceremony 

For the twenty-second consecutive year, the National Arbor Day Foundation has designated the City of Santa Barbara a Tree City USA during a special ceremony in Alameda Park on April 20, 2002. 

Mayor Marty Blum, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection regional forester Ben Parker, City Arborist Dan Condon, and SBB Vice President-Public Relations Jacqueline Dyson were on hand to receive the award and unfurl the Tree City USA flag. 

Mr. Parker presented the official Tree City USA flag during a tree planting ceremony of the rare Inga affinis (Evergreen broadleaf) and the unveiling of a commemorative boulder celebrating the City Parks Centennial at the Old-Fashioned Community Picnic. 

SBB is proud of its cooperation with the City Parks & Recreation Dept. helping Santa Barbara earn this recognition every year since 1980. 

What Makes a Tree City USA?

Santa Barbara is one of the first twenty cities in California to participate in the Tree City USA program, which now includes 2700 cities and towns nationwide.

Four basic requirements must be met to receive recognition.  A city must have:

1. a board or commission to oversee community tree planting and maintenance.
2. a tree ordinance providing legal protection to public trees.
3. an annual Arbor Day Proclamation by the mayor and a public Arbor Day Observance.
4. an annual budget expenditure of at least two dollars per capita local population to support its public tree care program.