Community Forestry Management Plan & Mission Statement
The Community Forestry Management Plan is an essential guide to successfully achieving a healthy and safe community forest. The State of New Jersey has set up guidelines for developing this plan and it encourages each municipality to develop their own plan which is unique to their community and its needs. The County plan has been developed and implemented since 2000 and has been set up to be viable through the year 2020. It includes our goals and objectives and how they are to be carried out. This plan is on file at the Shade Tree Office Building, 250 Center St., Freehold. The public is invited to see this plan any time during normal business hours. (Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Mission Statement
The mission of the Monmouth County Shade Tree Division is to create, promote and provide an example for sustainable, healthy and safe community forests as well as maintain safe corridors along County roadways and facilities throughout Monmouth County to influence proper tree care and stewardship in New Jersey.
Tree City USA
Monmouth County Shade Tree Division became the first in the state to be named a Tree City USA. There are only two counties in the state to have this title and Monmouth County is one of only nineteen to have this Tree City USA distinction in the US. Every community, regardless of size, benefits in different ways from being a Tree City USA.
Awards and Certifications
In 2007 the county applied for and received a growth award from the Arbor Day Foundation for its continuous and diligent work to improve the community and its trees in the county. The Growth award was issued as a result of a major planting project on Kozloski Rd. This was accomplished as part of the Cools Cities Grant program. Just fewer than 100 trees were installed along the corridor to cast shade upon the roadway and bring down urban reflective heat. This program was instituted by the Division of Parks and Forestry under the Department of Environmental Protection.
The Monmouth County Shade Tree Division applies annually for the designation of Tree City USA and various growth awards to improve their Community Forestry Programs.
Monmouth County Shade Tree Division continues to be at the forefront of arboriculture and constantly implements the latest technology and equipment to ensure the well-being of the County’s tree and environment.