Sustainability efforts within the city of Dunwoody have proven to be popular and successful, with several programs implemented and others on the calendar.
The second year of the partnership between Trees Atlanta and Dunwoody has concluded successfully with all 80 trees that were available for “adoption” claimed.
The Front Tree program provides free trees to homeowners to be planted within 35 feet of a right-of-way. In its first year, according to city officials, 54 trees were planted, and this year, requests for 80 trees were swiftly claimed.
“We had complete support for the program from the city council and immediate buy-in from residents, who rushed to fill out online applications,” Dunwoody Community Development Director Richard McLeod said. “This program furthers our goal of protecting and building up Dunwoody’s tree canopy.”
Trees Atlanta, a non-profit committed to the care and replenishment of metro Atlanta’s urban forest, manages the processing of tree requests and coordinate with each homeowner for the selection, placement, and installation of up to two front yard trees per yard through this program, according to a statement released by the city.
Dunwoody has been recognized for its urban forest management efforts for more than a decade. The city was recognized for the 12th consecutive year as a “Tree City USA” and in February celebrated the designation with a ceremonial tree planting at Windward Hollow Park on Georgia Arbor Day.
“We remain committed to protecting our tree canopy and finding new ways to enhance it,” Dunwoody Arborist Amy Bledsoe said. “Trees benefit our community by improving air quality, increasing property values, reducing stress levels, and providing wildlife with important habitats.”
Dunwoody achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: maintaining a tree board or department, having a tree care ordinance, dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and hosting an Arbor Day observance with a written proclamation.
“Tree City USA communities see the positive effects of an urban forest firsthand,” Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, said. “The trees being planted and cared for by Dunwoody are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life.”
Since 2013, the city has worked with Trees Atlanta and community volunteers to plant more than 2,000 trees in Dunwoody, including 125 during this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.
The city has also scheduled another household hazardous waste recycling event on May 4, to be held in the parking lot of Dunwoody City Hall at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road.
This free event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is for Dunwoody residents only. Residents must register and select a drop-off time online at www.dunwoodyga.gov/waste.
During last year’s household hazardous waste recycling event, 415 residents participated, according to city officials. More than 17,060 pounds of latex paint, 3,395 pounds of pesticides, 531 pounds of antifreeze, 107 pounds of lithium batteries, and 12 fire extinguishers were dropped off.
Acceptable items include oil and latex paints, stains, paint thinner, automobile batteries, household batteries, motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline, diesel, household cleaners, pool chemicals, household chemicals, pesticides, flammables, and corrosives.
Items that will not be accepted include agricultural wastes, bio-hazardous/bio-medical waste, ammunition, explosives, radioactive materials, smoke detectors, cylinders of acetylene, oxygen, carbon dioxide, helium, and refrigerant gases.
Residents will need to bring proof of residency to the event.
