Goleta has been named a 2022 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. The city is again being honored for its commitment to effective urban forest management. From 2007-22, Goleta has received this award 11 times.

Goleta officials George Thomson, Jessie Altstatt, Mayor Paula Perotte, Deborah Williams and Jorge Flores plant trees at Stow Grove Park for Arbor Day.
Goleta officials George Thomson, Jessie Altstatt, Mayor Paula Perotte, Deborah Williams and Jorge Flores plant trees at Stow Grove Park for Arbor Day. Credit: Courtesy photo

Goleta achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements:
• Maintaining a tree board or department.
• Having a tree care ordinance.
• Dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita.
• Hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation (view the city’s proclamation recognizing Arbor Week March 7-14, 2023 at https://tinyurl.com/4sn2c3s2).

If ever there was a time for trees, now is that time, the city believes. Communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, energy use, and extreme heat and flooding. Goleta is doing its part to address these challenges for residents both now and in the future.

The Goleta Public Works team manages more than 14,000 publicly owned trees along its streets and parks. The city makes the planting and caring of trees a priority for the community.

Learn more about the Arbor Day Foundation at https://www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.