Alpharetta Wins Georgia Urban Forestry Award

ALPHARETTA, GA -- This month, the city of Alpharetta was presented with the Outstanding Streetscape Revitalization Grand Award during the 26th Annual Georgia Urban Forestry Awards.

The awards are presented by the Georgia Urban Forest Council, a nonprofit whose mission is to sustain the state's green legacy by helping communities grow healthy trees.

The annual awards program recognizes individuals and organizations for exemplary work in protecting and enhancing community forests throughout Georgia.

Award recipients were recognized in the following categories:

• Civic organization
• Streetscape revitalization
• Individual achievement
• Education
• Greenspace
• Community
• New initiative
• Business
• Media
• Elected official

Alpharetta received the urban forestry award in recognition of its conservation efforts in tree planting and landscape improvements made in the 2016 fiscal year.

“The city of Alpharetta is to be commended for its streetscape revitalization on Main Street,” said Mary Lynne Beckley, executive director of the Georgia Urban Forest Council. “Growing the city’s urban forest this way brings health, environmental and economic benefits for both visitors and residents and visually appealing elements as well.”

Each award recipient received a framed print of a Gainesville sugar maple from an original painting by artist Barry Nehr, commissioned by GUFC.

‘The continuous care and cultivation of community forests and landscapes are essential to attracting residents, visitors and businesses to Alpharetta,” said Councilman Chris Owens. “We aim to develop our tree-planting initiatives and preserve the aesthetics of natural environments with an abundance of greenery.”

Image via Patch