Full Notification

West Springfield, MA:  The West Springfield Town Common has been awarded a Level I Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program. This recognition signifies the Town’s achievement of specific professional practice standards deemed crucial for arboreta and botanic gardens. The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta at various levels of development, capacity, and professionalism.  A ceremonial opening of the Town’s Arboretum will be held on the Town Common on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.  

The Tree and Urban Forest Committee (“TUFC”), under the guidance of Tree Warden Marcus Catlett, initiated the accreditation application last year to commemorate the Town’s 250th anniversary. All trees on the eastern end of the Town Common have been identified with tags displaying the common name, botanical name, and a QR code linking to further information about each tree. These tags were made possible through a grant from the West Springfield Rotary Club.

A key objective of TUFC and the Tree Warden is to educate citizens about the importance of trees and to diversify West Springfield’s tree canopy, which is currently dominated by maple trees. Although limited by nursery availability, the Committee and Tree Warden prioritize selecting a healthy variety of tree species. The Town Common now features a diverse collection, including Dawn Redwood, Slippery Elm, Tamarack, various maples, oaks, tulip trees, elms, spruces, London Planetree, and serviceberry. Additionally, several American dogwoods were planted around the fountain by the churches and mosque to honor the Town’s 250th anniversary this past fall.

The Town Common also features trees dedicated to individuals who have contributed to the Town’s forestry growth, including Seth Swift, a recognized leader in Massachusetts for urban tree care and the former Tree Warden of West Springfield.

The Tree and Urban Forest Committee was established by former Mayor Ed Sullivan in 2015 to ensure consistent oversight of West Springfield’s trees. Mayor Will Reichelt has continued that commitment by hiring a full-time, highly educated Tree Warden, Marcus Catlett, and adding a fully staffed crew to manage and enhance the tree canopy along the Town’s streets and parks. 

All TUFC members are also part of the West Springfield Tree Committee, a volunteer group dedicated to protecting and expanding the Town’s tree canopy.  The West Springfield Tree Committee welcomes new members. Interested individuals can contact Pat Garbacik at patgarbacik@gmail.com. Volunteer opportunities include tree trimming, publicity, communication, education, assisting with Arbor Day and Earth Day events, and grant acquisition.

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