Welcome: Parks & Recreation: Environmental Resources and Community Forest Commission

Environmental Resources and Community Forest Commission

Why a tree?

The Fairfield Community Forest Commission is asked on occasion, "What are the real benefits of trees in our community?"

We enjoy such questions because there are many benefits and much value to having trees.

Besides the aesthetic beauty of the many different species, trees have helped mankind throughout the ages with everything from shelter to transportation, and the benefits continue today.

Many times communities overlook the valuable benefits of how trees help people. Here are just a few of the benefits trees provide us:

Trees moderate and reduce extreme summer temperatures in cities by reducing urban heat islands.
Trees help us use less energy in cooling buildings.
Trees reduce pollution from electricity-generating plants by reducing their demand.
Trees reduce noise pollution of cars.
Trees help moderate ozone levels by reducing elevated temperatures.
Trees help moderate storm water runoff and associated city management costs.
Trees help provide for a variety of wildlife habitats.

Planting trees maximizes the environmental, the economic and the aesthetic benefits of an urban forest. So help everyone by planting a tree this spring in our Fairfield community!

The City of Fairfield Environmental Resources and Community Forest Commission shall serve as an advisory body to the City of Fairfield Parks and Recreation Board for the purpose of promoting Environmental Stewardship and maintaining and increasing the amount of tree cover on public and private land in Fairfield by coordinating, initiating and publicizing activities that affect the Community Forest and Community Environmental Resources and specifically to:

Educate and encourage the public about the ecological, economic, and aesthetic benefits of forests in general and Fairfield’s forest in particular and recognize good tree management practices.
Educate and encourage the public on the importance of Environmental Stewardship and Natural Resources Conservation.
Enlist the support of civic groups who can contribute time, seek sponsorships and partnerships from local businesses and recommend applications for foundation and government grants when appropriate for the Community Forestland Natural Resources Conservation.
Encourage property owners to preserve backyard wildlife habitats and to plant and maintain trees, subject to other applicable ordinances.
Review the City’s Comprehensive Tree and Planting Management Plan, Chapters 901 and 1129 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Fairfield, Ohio and make recommendations regarding same.
Pursue recognition as a tree friendly City from organizations external to the community i.e., the National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City and growth award.

Environmental Resources and Community Forest Commission meetings

The Environmental Resources and Community Forest Commission meets on the first Wednesday of each month. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. and are held in the Community Room at the Fairfield Community Arts Center.

View Forest Commission agendas and minutes.

Members

The City of Fairfield Environmental Resources and Community Forest Commission consists of nine members appointed for three year terms by council.

The members shall be appointed by Fairfield City Council as follows:

Eight members to be selected and appointed by the Fairfield City Council.
One member nominated by the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and appointed by Council.

All members of the Fairfield Environmental Resources and Community Forest Commission are required to be qualified electors of the City of Fairfield. In addition, the City manager designates one City staff person to attend meetings of the Environmental Resources and Community Forest Commission. The staff person is not a voting member of the Environmental Resources and Community Forest Commission.

Last updated: 8/7/2008