Yorktown Tree City Status Renewed

(March 28, 2022) – The Town of Yorktown was recertified as a 2021 Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation.

The Arbor Day Foundation renewed Yorktown’s designation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management. Qualifying communities must have a tree ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and other benchmarks.

“Cities and towns across the globe are facing challenges when it comes to air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, and energy use,” Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation wrote in a letter to the Town. “Yorktown shows its residents and peers that they are forward-thinking and eager to combat these issues.”

The Town officials undertook several environmental measures in 2021, including:

• Adopting sustainable procurement rules designed to reduce the municipality’s carbon footprint and promote recycling.
• Hiring Barton & Loguidice and Weston & Sampson for environmental review services.
• Opening its first food scraps collection site for composting at Downing Park.
• Installing 260 streetlamps that use energy-efficient light emitting diodes.
• Partnering with Sustainable Westchester’s Community Solar and Grid Rewards programs.
• Approving a large solar array for Arcadia Farm.

“Yorktown is on the path to carbon neutrality, and we are doing this in a thoughtful, measured way that balances taxpayer interests with the need for urgent action,” said Supervisor Matt Slater. “The Town Board will continue to prioritize tree planting, expanded green spaces and enhanced pollution control devices to keep our waterways clean.”

A copy of the Arbor Day Foundation's letter is attached.