It isn't enough for a community to grow and prosper - it also should look beautiful.With that philosophy in mind, West Jordan's new urban forestry committee is mapping out plans to encourage residents to plant trees in their yards, parking strips and city parks, and businesses to landscape their premises attractively.
The committee, which held its first meeting this week, also plans to educate the public about the types of trees that thrive here so there will be fewer failures. Hopes are that volunteer groups will take on tree-planting projects.
Why bother?
"I think it's pride," said City Council member Max Hogan, a key program supporter and council-committee liaison. "We feel like we have a great city, and beautifying it even more is one way we can make it even better.
"One of the most pleasing things about a community is to see bountiful trees growing throughout the area," Hogan said.
Trees also help clean the air, reduce excess heat and provide atmospheric moisture in dry months, Hogan said.
Although it might sounds offbeat at first, city officials also think trees will help economic development, which is one of West Jordan's favorite goals.
"Curiously enough, that was one of the initial driving forces" behind creation of the committee and plans for an urban forest city ordinance, Hogan said. "We felt one of the essential ingredients of a successful economic development program was to create attractive commercial standards and, certainly, landscaping is one of those very important things."
People will spend money in a nice-looking city, Hogan contends.
Trees also will help make the city inviting for new businesses. "We want business people to be attracted to the community. We don't think they react any differently than other people," Hogan said.
No formal program has been prepared yet, but Hogan hopes the committee will help the city get a "Tree City USA" designation through the National Arbor Day Foundation. "Across the country, this adds a great deal of prestige to a city," Hogan said.
The committee also will seek private and government grants to help pay for the program. Right now, Hogan said, groups of citizens who want to plant trees can apply for a 50-50 match from West Jordan through its community enhancement program. For informa-tion, call City Hall at 561-1463.
As the urban forestry committee's work progresses, more information will be available about money, volunteer efforts and tree-planting celebrations.
"It's one of those things that people can really get involved in, have fun and have productive end results, also," Hogan said.
W. Lee Hunt was elected chairman of the committee. Jim Moore, a landscape architect for Prows-wood, was elected vice chairman. Darell Bagley, a private landscape architect, was elected secretary. Other members are Loren Nielsen, co-owner of Wasatch Shadows nursery; Chris Epson, manager of Smith's grocery store in West Jordan; and Craig Thaxton, West Jordan parks superintendent.