Hamilton Township proudly announces that it has been named a 2021 Tree City USA for the fifteenth consecutive year.
Hamilton achieved this prominent environmental designation by the Arbor Day Foundation, a million-member nonprofit conservation and education organization. “Tree City USA communities benefit from the positive effects that an urban tree canopy has year after year,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The trees being planted and cared for by Hamilton ensure that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program helps cultivate a sense of stewardship and pride for the trees the community plants and cares for.”
Thanks to the efforts of the Hamilton Township Shade Tree Commission, the Township was able to launch a residential tree planting initiative last year. Through this program the Township has removed dead and dying trees and planted 650 new trees around town to date. The program is funded by private developers that pay into an escrow fund when trees are removed from properties under construction and, under the law, can only be used for this purpose. While the Township takes requests for new trees year round, we continue our efforts to reach all Hamilton Township residents on a neighborhood by neighborhood level.
"Hamilton is proud to be recognized as Tree City USA for the last fifteen years. Healthy trees can slow storm surge and flooding, support our health and well-being, reduce energy costs by up to 25%, and even increase property values. On the 150th anniversary of National Arbor Day, Hamilton gladly continues to foster the Arbor Day Foundation mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees," said Mayor Jeff Martin.
The Township continues to plan to have trees planted so that they will not interfere with sidewalks or utility lines. While there is no cost to residents for the trees, the Township asks that residents jointly care for the tree in the first three years of growth. Residents may contact the Division of Planning at (609) 890-3645 or via email at RPoppert@HamiltonNJ.com for more information on the residential tree planting program.
More information on the Tree City USA program is available at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.