Responsibilities & Activities
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Alpine, A Sterling Tree City - You have probably driven past our Tree City USA signs on Hillside Avenue and Closter Dock Road, or seen a plaque in Borough Hall, but do you know what it means to Alpine?
Tree City USA is a program sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation along with the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. The program supplies direction, assistance, and recognition to its member towns and cities. To qualify as a Tree City USA community, the town must meet 4 standards. It must have 1) a tree board or department, 2) a tree care ordinance, 3) a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita, and 4) an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. Alpine has been a member of Tree City USA since April 2001.
Growth Awards are awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation to recognize higher levels of tree care by participating Tree City USA communities. Alpine has received Growth Awards every year since 2008. A community that has earned 10 years of Growth Awards is recognized as a Sterling Tree City. Alpine was awarded Sterling Tree City status in 2018 and is among only a few municipalities in the state of New Jersey to earn this distinction and has continued to earn Growth Awards beyond the initial 10 years. The award is the culmination of collaborative efforts associated with numerous projects (involving the Environmental Commission, the DPW, borough officials, public school staff, external organizations and contractors, and residents) over a significant period of time. Sterling communities are regarded as leaders in community forestry and are often looked upon as innovators.
Over the years, Alpine received its Growth Awards for a variety of activities in several categories.
Publications including our Tree Buffer Guidelines, Field Guide & Video, Butterfly/Pollinator Guide, Deicers and Rain Runoff Pollution flyers. See the Publications Section on our Home Page for the complete list. A Borough Pathways map is also available at the Municipal Clerk’s office.
Educational activities including continuing education for EC and DPW members on environmental issues, as well as efforts by Alpine public school teachers to facilitate artistic expressions by students regarding the significance of Arbor Day and other Environmental Messages.
News & Information including topics such as Invasive Vines, Mulching, Emerald Ash Borer, and our Tree Bill of Rights. See the News & Information section on our Home Page for the complete list.
Responsibilities & Activities including Tree Ordinance provisions, Site Visits and coordination of tree replacement plans with the borough engineer, Landmark Tree designations, Church Street Green development, web site development, events such as Recycling Day and Arbor Day Seedling Give-Aways and Tree Plantings, acquisition of public land for Open Space Preservation, and DPW activities including tree plantings/replacements in public areas and pickup/recycling of garden debris and holiday trees.
