THE CITY OF RITZVILLE TREE BOARD
Ritzville has a 5-committee member Tree Board.
The Tree Board is responsible for advising, promoting, and educating the community on issues pertaining to trees and wooded plants in the City of Ritzville, Washington and to maintain the status of Tree City U.S.A. that will promote and protect the public health, safety, and general welfare.
City of Ritzville residents are encouraged to plant trees
and/or drought tolerant plants.
Residents can calculate the benefits of trees on property or the right-of-way by using the
National Tree Benefit Calculator.
Trees provide many economic, health and environmental benefits for city residents including:
-Provide shade and contribute to summer cooling, saving energy costs.
-Help create a more livable city and quality of life for people.
-Provide habitat for numerous wildlife.
-Add to our history and civic and public life.
-Contribute beauty, flowers, and leaves that change with the seasons.
-Improve water quality and storm water runoff, reducing costs of mitigation and pollution.
-Produce oxygen and filter airborne particulates - improving Spokane's air quality.
-Pavement shaded by trees will last 10 years longer than exposed pavement resulting in
less maintenance, saving material and labor costs.
-Vehicles on freeways and highways can produce noise that exceeds 100 decibels.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
ORGANIZATIONS THAT SPECIALIZE IN FORESTRY
National Arbor Day Foundation inspires people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees through their conservation and education programs. Tree City USA is one such program.
Washington Community Forestry Council - A program of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, works to educate citizens and decision-makers about the economic, environmental, psychological and aesthetic benefits of trees and to assist local governments, citizen groups and volunteers in planting and sustaining healthy trees and vegetation.
Tree Link - Internet-based information and tools to improve urban and community forests. The site provides a variety of information, research and networking opportunities.
Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture - The PNW-ISA is a Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture, encompassing the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and the province of British Columbia.
Urban and Community Forestry Program of the United States Department of Agriculture - Provides technical and financial assistance to help improve the livability of cities and communities through managing urban forest resources to promote a healthy ecosystem.
Center for Urban Forest Research at the USDA Forest Service - Conducts research on the benefits and costs of urban forests, creates new strategies for managing community forests, provides information to agencies and the public, and provides expertise to local communities on urban forest issues
The Arbor Day Foundation provides information for homeowners on how to plant trees on their property. Check out the "Right Tree in the Right Place"
