Mission Statement:
To preserve and protect the historic trees of Rutherford, through advocacy, education and public awareness, and to maintain and enhance the forest cover of our Borough of Trees.
Over the last one hundred and fifty years the residents of our Borough planted and nurtured a remarkably large and diverse forest, which is now in our care. This forest cover forms a fragile green oasis in an increasingly urbanized landscape and is the reason that Rutherford is known as The Borough of Trees.
Our trees are a major contributor to the beauty and quality of life in Rutherford, providing inestimable benefits to its residents. These benefits include beauty, shade, flood control, air pollution control, haven for wildlife, and increased property values.
The Rutherford Shade Tree Committee is dedicated to maintaining and enhancing this invaluable forest asset through proper care, protection, replanting, and educational programs, preserving for all the wonderful benefits that flow from our trees.
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Description:
The RSTC was reformed in 2007, as part of Rutherford’s Community Forestry Management Plan, in accordance with the Borough Master Plan. Members of the Committee are volunteers, appointed yearly by the Mayor and Council. Meetings are open to the public and are generally held at 7:00 pm on the last Monday of each month upstairs in Borough Hall.
The Rutherford Community Forest Management Plan can be viewed on the Borough's main page: www.rutherford-nj.com.
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The Committee's goals and projects/activities include:
- Improving health & safety of forest resources, through planting of proper tree species, prioritized pruning, and hazard tree program
- Creating a comprehensive Tree Inventory and Database, with cooperation of NJ Meadowlands Commission Environmental Research Institute
- Obtaining the designation of "Tree City USA" for the Borough, which allows access to grants for tree maintenance and replanting
- Promoting tree awareness and stewardship among residents through educational materials
- Training members in Urban Forestry Care to maintain certification
- Establishing a tree nursery and active tree replacement program
- Creating an educational Borough Arboretum of native tree species
- Involving residents in annual Arbor Day celebration with tree plantings and art contest
- Adopt-A-Tree sponsoring program for citizens or business in honor of named person
Residents are invited to send in ideas, comments, pictures, and stories about the historic trees of Rutherford by email to RutherfordTrees@aol.com for inclusion on this website.
2008 Members:
Steve Savitsky
Mike Schmeding
John Tagliabue
Dave Phillips
Sharon Del Vecchio
Chris Seidler
Tim Stanton
George Fecanin, Liaison to Council
"The loss or decline of trees is not accomplished overnight. It is usually a more lengthy process, one that is sometimes not realized before an irreparable loss is sustained."
– Rutherford Shade Tree Commission, 1936
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