Stafford Township prides itself on being a pinnacle of leadership in the environmental sector. We have a history of striving to preserve naturals lands and to establish innovative ordinances and management practices that protect and minimize impacts to our environment. Our annual township Arbor Day Ceremony continues to be one of the largest of its kind in the state.
History & Requirements
The first Arbor Day celebrated in Stafford was in 1988 and was commemorated by planting a single white dogwood at the library. The following year, and every year thereafter, the township has earned Tree City USA status. To qualify each year as a Tree City USA community, we have to meet four standards established by the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of Foresters:
- Have a tree board
- Have a tree care ordinance
- Have a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita
- observe arbor day including a proclamation
The Tree City USA program is a community improvement initiative of the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.
We aim to be good stewards of our resources and are concerned about our footprint on our beloved Barnegat Bay Estuary. Our wish for our children is that they continue this tradition and have pride in their community.