COLUMBIA BOROUGH SHADE TREE COMMISSION
The Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission was originally formed in the 1940's and later went dormant from 1960 thru 1981. It was revitalized in 1982 when the Borough became eligible to receive street trees through US Dept. of Housing and Development "Community Block Grants".
Over the last 13 years, the Shade Tree Commission has been responsible for planting over 370 street trees. The Commission also oversees and grants permission to property owners who desire to plant or remove a street tree in front of their property.
The Commission also assists in maintaining trees in areas of Columbia which received block grants since 1983.
The Columbia Tree Society is the fund raiser auxiliary of the Commission and financially supports the Commission through membership dues and other events.
Columbia Borough has been recognized as a "Tree City USA" by the National Arbor Day Foundation since 1993. To qualify, a municipality must have a Street Tree Ordinance and have an active Shade Tree Commission, spend $2 per capita on trees and tree maintenance, and have an annual Arbor Day observance. The Tree Commission has celebrated Arbor Day for 17 consecutive years, rotating the event through the Borough's 6 parks and other public spaces.
Columbia is part of the Chesapeake Bay Alliance and is committed to increasing the tree canopy in the Columbia area over the next several years.
Members of the Shade Tree Commission are:
Mike Beury, Jr.- Chairman
Tom Mimnall, Secretary
Mark Zeamer, Treasurer
Kerry Glenn
Ron Fritz
