Amarillo Has A New Nickname. It’s About Trees?

So one of the things I immediately said when my family moved to Amarillo last year was, "there's a LOT of trees here".

Clearly I was right, because we've been nationally recognized for them.

Another thing Amarillo is known for is its plethora of nicknames.

Bomb City, The Yellow Rose of Texas, The 806...and now you can add Tree City USA to the list of nicknames.

The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Amarillo as one of its "Tree Cities" named back in February.

So how does one become a tree city? Well, you have to achieve four different requirements in order to gain this status.

Forming a tree board or department, creating a tree-care ordinance, having an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. Amarillo nailed down all four requirements to obtain the Tree City name.

In response to be awarded this honor, Mayor Ginger Nelson said, “Our city and residents understand the importance of trees, not only from an aesthetic perspective by also from an ecological and environmental perspective. Our city parks are a prime example. Amarillo is honored to be named as a 2021 Tree City USA.”

So now that we have a commitment to trees in our city, will that help spur a parks and recreation budget that allows the upkeep of the trees and everything in those parks? One would think and hope that more attention will be paid to our parks.

After all, that's where a majority of these trees can be found.