The Arbor Day Foundation recently named the city of  Athens a 2024 Tree City USA in honor of its commitment to plant, grow and maintain trees to benefit its flourishing community.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit with a mission to inspire people and communities to plant, nurture and celebrate trees all across the world. 

Rhett Murphy, a certified arborist and the right-of-way manager for Athens Utilities, said several city departments work together on the maintenance of existing trees, removal of hazardous trees and planting new trees on city-owned property.

Amy Golden, the director of the Athens Activity Center, also works to maintain the Tree City USA designation.

Mayor Ronnie Marks thanked the Arbor Day Foundation, Murphy, Golden, Public Works, Athens Parks and Recreation departments and Athens Utilities for their efforts in ensuring trees are protected.

“Trees are integral to our community from improving the environment to beautifying areas to providing a shady place to gather,” Marks said. “I appreciate all of our employees who are involved in maintaining and planting trees and removing those that are diseased and decayed.”

The Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program is operated in partnership with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.