FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP GETS HONOR FOR HELPING GREEN AMERICA

SEVENTH YEAR FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP NAMED TREE CITY USA

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, New Jersey-April 13, 2009-The National Arbor Day Foundation has named Franklin Township a Tree City USA for 2008 in recognition of Franklin's program to care for community trees. It is the seventh year Franklin Township has received this national recognition.

The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service sponsors the Tree City USA program.

Franklin Mayor Brian Levine said, "Franklin Township is proud to have again been designated Tree City USA, and we thank the members of Franklin's Shade Tree Commission and volunteers for their work in our forestry program. We also want to thank The National Arbor Day Foundation for this recognition."

To become a Tree City USA, a community must meet four standards: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance. For this year's Arbor Day, the Shade Tree Commission planted trees in Franklin's Middlebush Park. "As Franklin's newest park, and with plans for expansion, Middlebush park provides ample opportunities to plant new trees to shade play equipment and accent park features. Every year we plant more trees in Franklin's parks and open space," said Michael Orsini, chair of the Township's Shade Tree Commission. He added: "We strongly emphasize public education and a wealth of information is available on the municipal web site, such as the dangers of over-mulching trees and the best trees to plant in our climate and soil. Our annual tree sale has also raised public awareness of our mission and is proving increasingly popular."

"Trees in our cities and towns help clean the air, conserve soil and water, moderate temperature, and bring nature into our daily lives," said John Rosenow, president of the National Arbor Day Foundation. "Trees are a vital component of the infrastructure in our towns and cities, and provide many environmental and economical benefits. A community, and its citizens, that recognizes these benefits and provides needed care for its trees deserves recognition and thanks," Rosenow added.