On Wednesday, November 4, Scenic Jacksonville and Greenscape of Jacksonville will cohost an event at The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens to commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the Tree Charter Amendment.
Fifteen years ago, Scenic Jacksonville (then known as Citizens for Tree Preservation) led a successful citizens’ initiative to conserve and protect Jacksonville’s tree canopy. The measure amended the City Charter to establish minimum standards for tree mitigation during development, and passed in all 268 precincts with a landslide 76% voter approval on November 7, 2000.
During the celebratory event on November 4, the two organizations will also announce a new tree challenge campaign, JAX DIGS TREES. The year-long tree campaign will encourage citizens, schools, neighborhood organizations, businesses and civic groups to plant, protect and promote trees.
JAX DIGS TREES is a citywide initiative to increase scenic beauty, create a healthier community by increasing Jacksonville’s tree canopy and ensure the continuation of a vibrant, urban tree cover. The new trees will add oxygen, clean the air, decrease the urban heat island effect, slow rain water runoff, provide wildlife habitats, and add aesthetic benefits to improve quality of life and increase property values.
Scenic Jacksonville Board President, Susan Caven, said, “We are thrilled to join Greenscape and be a part of this exciting tree campaign. We look forward to working with individuals and organizations all across Jacksonville to enhance the natural landscape and streetscapes of our beautiful city for the enjoyment and benefit of our citizens, visitors and future generations.”
Anna Dooley, Greenscape Executive Director said, “This is a wonderful opportunity to work together as a city and promote tree planting in every corner of Jacksonville with interested neighborhood and community groups.”
The event will be held at The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 829 Riverside Avenue on November 4 at 8:30 a.m. and is open to the public. Interested citizens and organizations are encouraged to attend this 15th anniversary celebration and join in the year-long JAX DIGS TREES Campaign. The Jacksonville community is also encouraged to use social media to share tree planting activities by posting their tree photos online and using the campaign hashtag, #jaxdigstrees.