From the World Forum on Urban Forests 2018 a challenge to all cities around the globe.
“Small and enchanting, the city of Mantova is once again playing a role in supporting efforts towards the achievement of global issues – says its mayor Mattia Palazzi -. Now more than ever, it is up to cities to take up the challenge of global sustainability.
Trees and green can make cities more beautiful and safe, while also increasing social equity. Building upon this assumption, we have decided to seriously invest in urban greening”.
“Now more than ever, trees and forests can play a crucial role in making our cities healthier, safer and more sustainable” states Dan Lambe, President of the Arbor Day Foundation, the largest NGO implementig reforestation programme in the US and counting on more than one million members and supporters “This is the reason why we have started our collaboration with FAO, aimed to award cities committing to ensure that their trees and forests are properly managed”.
“We strongly believe – states Simone Borelli Forestry Officer at FAO – that the Mantova Challenge could stimulate local administrations to improve the design, planning and management of their urban trees and forests, and turn cities in greener, healthier, happier and more inclusive places”.
These are the premises of the Mantova Challenge:
Tree Cities of the World
Celebrating greener cities worldwide
Now more than ever, trees and forests are a vital component of healthy, livable, and sustainable communities around the globe.
Urban forests help define a sense of place and well-being where people live, work, play, and learn.
We invite your community to become part of the Tree Cities of the World programme, an international effort to recognize cities and towns committed to ensuring that urban forests and trees are properly maintained, sustainably managed,
and duly celebrated.
This is your opportunity to connect with cities around the world in a new network dedicated to sharing and adopting the most successful approaches to managing community trees and forests.
Standards for Recognition
Recognition through the Tree Cities of the World programme represents the first step toward achieving a green vision for the community. To receive recognition, a town or city must meet ve core standards:
Standard 1: Establish Authority
The community has a written statement by city leaders delegating responsibility for the care of trees within the municipal boundary to a sta member, a city department, or a group of citizens—called a Tree Board.
Standard 2: Know the Rules
The community adopts policies, best practices, or industry standards
for managing urban trees and forests. These rules describe how work must be performed, where and when they apply, and penalties for noncompliance.
Standard 3: Know What You Have
The community has an updated inventory or assessment of the local tree resource so that an e ective long-term plan for planting, care, and removal of city trees can be established.
Standard 4: Allocate the Resources
The community has a dedicated annual budget for the routine implementation of the tree management plan.
Standard 5: Celebrate Achievements
The community holds an annual celebration of trees to raise awareness among residents and to acknowledge citizens and sta members who carry out the city tree programme.
Gain Worldwide Recognition
Join this new, global network of communities recognized as leaders in the sustainable management of urban trees and forests. You may already be using innovative practices that keep city trees healthy and growing. Now you can share your successes in planting and tending the urban forest of your community and learn from others around the world.
A Programme Partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The Arbor Day Foundation inspires people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees in order to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges: poverty, hunger, clean water and air, climate change, and species loss.
FAO supports the development of urban and peri-urban forestry actions, projects, and strategic planning tools that promote a sustainable and resilient model for city development around the world.