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Shade Tree Commission

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Abington Trees

Shade Tree Commission Logo

We seek to preserve and enhance Abington's urban forest and the essential ecosystem services that trees uniquely provide.

The Abington Township Shade Tree Commission (STC) was created in 1975.  The STC serves in an advisory capacity to the Township, to ensure the health and sustainability of Abington’s trees and woodlands.  A recent assessment of the state of Abington’s tree canopy and the call to action can be viewed here.  The Commission’s duties are provided in Chapter 42 of the Code of the Township of Abington.  

In March 2023, Abington Township celebrated its 16th year as a Tree City USA® and received the Growth Award, marking its commitment to conserve and enhance Abington’s historical, cultural and environmentally important landscapes.  Properly placed and spaced trees clean and absorb stormwater, increase property value, reduce traffic speeds, improve pedestrian safety, cool us down in the summer, enhance our health and more! 

 

Please click on the icons below to be taken to more information about each topic. 

Recommended Trees IconBenefits of Having Trees Icon that links to the benefits of having street trees web-page.Planting and Caring for Trees IconTree Giveaway IconSTC Events Icon    Icons of hands typing on computer that says Volunteer and Newsletter Signup

    Fire a tree care company icon

Abington Township Master Tree Action Plan and Interactive Urban Forest Story Map

In 2023, Abington Township formally adopted a Master Tree Action Plan to guide the future of Abington's trees. Click here to view the Master Tree Action Plan. 

The STC has also created an interactive story map, which provides detailed information about Abington's trees, how tree coverage varies unequally by ward and how much money Abington's trees save the Township and taxpayers every year by cleaning the air, reducing flooding, and improving public health. Click here to view the story map, and click here for a video providing further explanation.

 

Click here to listen to an interview with Trish Gallagher and John Kennedy, co-chairs of the STC, on the Plant a Trillion Trees Podcast. 

 

STC Priorities for 2024-2025 are:

Master Tree Action Plan (MTAP) implementation:

  • Establish and support a steering committee responsible for implementing the MTAP.
  • Adopt proposed ordinance for tree preservation, protection, and replacement.
  • Develop a master plan for invasive plant and pest and biological disease management. 
  • Increase involvement of planning, engineering, and constructing services in preserving and protecting and replacing trees.
  • Continue collaboration with EAC to streamline Land Development review and recommendations.

Proposed Tree Preservation, Protection, and Replacement Ordinance:

  • Our canopy is vanishing at an alarming rate. Our current tree preservation, protection, and replacement guidelines must be updated.
  • New recommendations will help protect and grow our urban forest during future land development and streamline the review of development plans.

Engage Planning, Engineering and Construction Services to plant and nurture trees:

  • Trees are a vital part of Abington’s infrastructure and provide numerous ecosystem services, including reducing stormwater runoff and flooding and improving water quality.
  • Trees cool neighborhoods, reducing the urban heat island effect and saving energy costs.
  • Trees make Abington a more desirable place to live, and they increase the property values of neighborhoods with more trees.

Increase resident involvement in stewardship of trees on private and public properties:

  • Educate and Engage Residents to aid in stewardship of trees on private properties.
  • Increase volunteers and uncover local talents to assistant with our indoor and outdoor needs.
  • Seek Grants and Identify opportunities to assist the township with grant applications.

 

2023-2024 Accomplishments

  • Tree city USA Certification for the 16th year.
  • Tree City Growth Award recognizing high levels of tree care and community engagement to build sustainable, long-term community forestry programs.
  • Strong Volunteer Engagement with over 1,740 hours of community service from local volunteers.
  • Gave away 1,100 trees to Abington's residents.

 

2023 Annual Report


The Abington Township Shade Tree Commission is a volunteer organization, composed of five members who are appointed by the Abington Township Board of Commissioners, each for a 5-year term.  Current appointees are: Joe Acenzi, Robin Eisman, Trish Gallagher, John Kennedy, and Anna Nicholaides. This group’s collective professional expertise includes arboriculture, environmental engineering, horticulture, landscape architecture, forestry, habitat restoration, water resources, fundraising and planning.  The Shade Tree Commission is supported by the Township's consulting arborist, John Rockwell Hosbach Jr., who is an ISA-certified arborist and urban forester. Further, a multitude of STC Associates and Partners donate time, treasure and talent to supplement that of the appointed members. Lead Associates include Tanya Borman-Voit, Andrew Christy, Kristin Gaenssle, Kathryn Helmsley, Donna Rohner, and Nicole Tomlinson. 

 

The STC maintains a close working relationship with Township staff, through staff liaison Jessica Tholey, the Director of Parks and Recreation, Grace Sekelewski, Communications Manager, and Ashley McIlvaine, Assistant Township Manager. None of the STC's work could occur without their ongoing support. In addition, the STC collaborates closely with the Abington Environmental Advisory Council through its chair Karin McGarry-Rosen.  

 

The STC Base of operation is Grove Park, where the group maintains tools and materials to offer volunteer-staffed education and tree planting projects. The STC meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month, currently using the Zoom® platform.

 

Contact the STC at STC@abingtonpa.gov to learn how you can lend a hand or donate here.

 

Shade Tree Commission

  • Date: 11/09/2021 7:30 PM  
  • Location: Webinar

The Shade Tree Commission will hold its regular meeting by webinar on November 9, 2021 at 7:30 PM to consider any and all business that would normally come before the Commission, and as further outlined on the agenda, which is available on the Township’s website at http://www.abingtonpa.gov/agendas.

There are three ways for the public to participate in the meeting: online, by phone, or an in-person viewing room. Residents can access the meeting online, by a computer, iPad, iPhone or Android at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81492811428. This link will enable residents to hear the meeting and see presentations. There will be no video capabilities. Residents, who are unable to join online, can listen to the meeting by calling 1-929-436-2866 and entering the meeting ID number 814-9281-1428 when prompted. Residents, who are unable to join online or by phone, can watch the meeting in a viewing room at the Abington Township Board Room located at 1176 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001, 2nd Floor. This will allow residents to see, hear, and participate in the meeting.

Public comment will be accepted and encouraged in the meeting. To provide public comment, the following steps will need to be taken by the resident to provide his or her comments:

1. When the Chair calls for public comment, please raise your hand. You can raise your hand in the webinar screen by clicking ‘raise hand’ found in the toolbar. To raise your hand by phone, enter star-nine (*9) on your device. Once the hand icon appears it will notify the administrator of your intention to give comments.

2. When it is your opportunity to provide comments, the Chair will identify the public by reading aloud the name listed or the last four digits of your phone number. Once identified, your microphone will be unmuted by the administrator. 

3. Each speaker must abide by the public participation rules of the Township. The Township's public participation rules can be viewed by clicking here.

4. When the speaker is finished with their comments or exceeds the speaking time, the microphone will be muted, and the next speaker will be identified.

Additional information regarding access to the public meeting is available on the Township’s website, as listed herein. Comments or questions are encouraged to be submitted in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@abingtonpa.gov. If a member of the public would like to participate but requires assistance or accommodation, please contact the Township at publiccomment@abingtonpa.gov or (267) 536-1099 three days in advance of the meeting.

Webinar Information:

  1. Join by computer, tablet or application: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81492811428
  2. Join by telephone: 1-929-436-2866 and entering the meeting ID number 814-9281-1428 when prompted.
  3. Meeting ID: 814-9281-1428

In Person Viewing Room Information:

  • Location: 1176 Old York Road, Abington PA 19001, Board Room

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