The City of Gadsden celebrated its first Tree City USA recognition in March 2025, marking a notable achievement in urban forestry and sustainable development. According to a city release, this distinction came through the Arbor Day Foundation after the city fulfilled four foundational criteria. Officials established a 12-member Gadsden Arbor Board in December 2024, enacted ordinances to protect and care for local trees, met the minimum requirement of $2 per capita for tree upkeep, and prepared an Arbor Day observance set for April 25 in conjunction with citywide cleanup activities.
The city’s announcement highlighted the value of preserving Gadsden’s natural surroundings and underscored its dedication to maintaining healthy tree canopies. Spending priorities included regular maintenance of established stands and the introduction of native species in newly landscaped areas. Community involvement also factored into these efforts, ensuring that volunteer groups and municipal crews could unite under clear guidelines for tree planting and care. Planners emphasized how these measures feed into broader redevelopment goals under the Grow Gadsden Comprehensive Plan.
Mayor Craig Ford shared enthusiasm by noting the city’s scenic assets. “Natural resources like Noccalula Falls and the Coosa River are some of our greatest assets here in Gadsden, and this designation is another way to focus on appreciating nature,” said Mayor Craig Ford. “Planting new trees is important, but properly managing our existing trees is also a critical part in keeping the city clean. Our landscaping and Public Works crews do an outstanding job of making Gadsden beautiful and enjoyable for both residents and visitors,” he added. These statements appeared in the official statement.
Noccalula Falls Park underwent a year-long renovation focused on ecological restoration. Mayor Ford observed, “We’ve done a number of large-scale construction projects, and we always pay attention to the role of trees in those plans. For example, we just finished a year-long renovation of the Noccalula Falls Park campground, and we planted dozens of native hardwoods to give shade to campers and replace those trees that were affected during the project,” Ford said. In the announcement, he described how deliberate planning ensured that newly planted trees would thrive post-construction.
Crews completed the campground improvements with a strategic placement of oaks and maples, aiming to harmonize with nature’s rhythms by safeguarding biodiversity while enhancing visitor experiences. Officials have expressed the intention to maintain a long-term balance between urban development and ecological well-being, a goal mirrored in city plans for parks and greenways. Campground updates took shape after examining how best to address runoff, soil compaction, and tree health.
“For more than a year, we’ve been working towards becoming a Tree City USA,” said Tena King, Director of City Services. “We want to thank all the citizens who have helped us reach this goal and those who will be working with us in the future. There are only 81 Tree Cities in Alabama, and we’re proud to say that Gadsden is one of them.” She emphasized the city’s community-wide commitment to preserving green space and supporting broad-based environmental initiatives.
Another part of the city’s push involved an $80,000 federal grant secured last fall to facilitate the planting of more than 200 trees between Black Creek’s industrial lands and nearby residential areas. The city intends to restore green corridors while addressing potential stormwater challenges, especially in areas influenced by legacy pollutants. Landscaping plans focus on selecting regional species adaptable to local conditions, guided by Alabama Forestry Commission recommendations. Officials noted that this effort bolsters the overall goal of revitalizing historically impacted sites.
Outside of the city’s official framework, campground and outdoor hospitality operators can explore practical additions that preserve newly planted trees and protect existing canopies. Permeable surfaces, such as well-designed gravel or pavers, allow water to filter into the soil naturally, reducing erosion near sensitive root systems. One assessment from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests that properly installed permeable pavers may cut stormwater runoff by up to 70% compared with impervious materials according to this analysis.
In concert with those ideas, installing water-conservation elements like rain barrels or natural drainage swales can lessen reliance on municipal resources. Such infrastructure can complement the city’s existing practices, particularly where young saplings need consistent watering and older stands benefit from sustainable management. Low-impact walkways or bike paths also help avoid disturbing shallow root systems, ensuring that large-scale construction remains compatible with urban forestry objectives.
Visitors to any renovated campground might value interpretive signage that emphasizes environmental stewardship. Simple markers identifying the benefits of native species or explaining how new plantings contribute to the local canopy can enhance the visitor experience. Meanwhile, digital applications or interactive maps can guide guests to scenic overlooks and provide real-time updates on tree planting milestones or special events such as guided nature walks. These suggestions do not come from any official source but serve as worthwhile considerations for enhancing the visitor experience.
Drawing inspiration from Gadsden’s Arbor Day observance and citywide cleanup activities, facility operators can integrate volunteer programs to encourage community members and travelers to participate in restoration. Short sessions on planting techniques or conservation practices strengthen the bond between visitors and the local landscape, echoing Gadsden’s emphasis on shared responsibility for greenspace maintenance. Offering these hands-on opportunities can help preserve both newly planted and well-established trees.
City officials see these enhancements as essential to maintaining momentum across industrial remediation projects and recreational upgrades. Gadsden’s combined dedication to enforcing ordinances, responsibly seeking out new plantings, and promoting community engagement signals a lasting commitment to environmental stewardship for years to come. This model of urban forestry, strategic planning, and environmental awareness sets a practical example for communities aiming to achieve a Tree City USA designation.
Integrating sustainable campsite elements alongside Gadsden’s tree planting efforts at Noccalula Falls Park can strengthen the city’s long-term ecological goals. Owners of campgrounds, RV parks, and glamping resorts can build on the renovated campground model by using permeable surfaces that let stormwater naturally filter into the ground, reducing erosion around campsites and newly planted trees. Separately, installing water-conservation systems, such as rain barrels or natural drainage swales, lowers reliance on municipal water sources and helps protect mature tree root systems from sudden runoff. Low-impact walkways or bike paths placed with consideration for tree root zones can create visitor-friendly routes without disturbing sensitive areas. By choosing native, low-maintenance vegetation beyond oak and maple plantings, operators can maintain biodiversity, lessen the need for chemical pesticides, and more effectively preserve the local ecosystem, aligning with broader sustainability initiatives like the Grow Gadsden Comprehensive Plan.
Drawing inspiration from Gadsden’s scheduled Arbor Day observance and citywide cleanup activities, outdoor hospitality venues can reinforce community-focused stewardship. Installing simple interpretive signage near newly planted or preserved trees helps educate visitors about local flora and the importance of responsible interaction with natural green spaces. Meanwhile, digital engagement platforms—such as mobile apps or interactive maps—allow guests to locate scenic viewpoints, learn about updated environmental projects, and receive environmentally focused notifications during their stay. Offering brief opportunities for tree-planting demonstrations or guided nature walks can foster a shared sense of responsibility among guests and staff, mirroring Gadsden’s emphasis on planting and caring for urban forests. By integrating these educational components into the visitor experience, campers gain deeper insight into restoration milestones and can participate more directly in the region’s ongoing sustainability efforts.
