The mission of the Urban Forestry Division is to promote healthy urban forests through leadership, education, awareness, and advocacy so as to enhance the beauty and prosperity of the community.
To have every feasible planting space in the City of Pompano Beach be occupied by a suitable and thriving tree of good health and safe structure.
An urban forest is a collection of naturally occurring or planted trees that grow within our city. In a wider sense it may include any kind of woody plants growing in and around our community. In a narrower sense it describes areas whose ecosystems are inherited from wilderness leftovers. Care and management of urban forests is known as urban forestry.
Urban forests play an important role for us in many ways: they filter air, water, sunlight; provide shelter to animals; and recreational areas for people. Urban forests moderate local climate, slow wind and stormwater, and shade homes and businesses to conserve energy. They are critical in cooling the urban heat island effect, thus potentially reducing the number of unhealthful ozone days that plague us in peak summer months.
The Tree City USA® program, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of towns and cities that more than 135 million Americans call home. The many benefits of being a Tree City include creating a framework for action, education, a positive public image, and citizen pride. For more information visit www.arborday.org. The City of Pompano Beach has proudly held the Tree City USA title for 24 years!
The benefits of urban trees are many: beautification, reduction of the urban heat island effect, reduction of stormwater runoff, reduction of air pollution, reduction of energy costs through increased shade over buildings, enhancement of property values, improved wildlife habitat, and mitigation of overall urban environmental impact.
The presence of urban trees reduces stress, and trees have long been seen to benefit our health. The shade of trees makes a place for people to meet and socialize. Proper planning and community involvement are important for the positive results to be realized.
Urban trees provide nesting sites and food for birds and other animals. People appreciate watching, feeding, photographing, and painting urban trees. Urban trees and wildlife help people maintain their connection with nature.
National Wildlife Federation is a voice for wildlife, dedicated to protecting wildlife and habitat and inspiring the future generation of conservationists. A Community Wildlife Habitat is a community that provides habitat for wildlife throughout the community—in individual backyards, on school grounds and in public areas such as parks, community gardens, places of worship and businesses. A Community Habitat project creates a place where the residents make it a priority to provide habitat for wildlife by providing the four basic elements that all wildlife need: food, water, cover and places to raise young; and the community educates its residents about sustainable gardening practices. Pompano Beach received its Certification as a Community Wildlife Habitat in 2010.
No appointment is necessary during these hours.
Wade has worked for the City of Pompano Beach since 1994, and joined the Urban Forestry Division as Landscape Inspector in 2006. Wade is an ISA Certified Arborist, an LIAF Certified Landscape Inspector, and an FNGLA Certified Landscape Technician. Wade currently serves as a member of the Palm Beach State College Horticulture Advisory Committee and is a Broward County Tree Trimmer Certification Instructor through the Broward County Extension Office.
The Landscape Inspector is generally responsible for inspecting job sites to insure compliance with the landscape plan and Code requirements. The technical work involves field inspections for tree permits; assisting the Public Works Department and Code Compliance Division; and working directly with public residents addressing their concerns as it relates to landscaping.
Robert joined the Urban Forestry Division in June of 2013. Robert has his degree in Landscape Technology and is an LIAF Certified Landscape Inspector. Robert has been active in the horticulture industry for over twenty five years and brings excellent landscape inspector skills to the City.