Birmingham awarded prestigious Tree City of the World status for the 6th year in a row
Birmingham City Council, in partnership with Birmingham TreePeople, has announced that the city has been recognised as a Tree City of the World.
It is an international accreditation awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
This prestigious status highlights Birmingham’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing its urban forest, ensuring trees remain at the heart of the city’s green infrastructure. The accreditation is independently assessed and awarded to cities that meet five core standards of responsible tree management:
- Establishing a dedicated tree management body
- Implementing a tree care policy or strategy
- Allocating sufficient resources to urban forestry
- Holding an annual tree-related celebration
- Ensuring tree planting and care are part of long-term planning
Councillor Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport , said: "We are incredibly proud to be recognised as a Tree City of the World. Trees play a vital role in improving air quality, supporting biodiversity, and enhancing the wellbeing of our communities. This status reflects our ongoing commitment to protecting and expanding Birmingham’s green spaces for future generations."
Birmingham TreePeople, a local volunteer-led organisation dedicated to tree planting and care, has played a crucial role in helping the city achieve this recognition. Their work alongside the council has strengthened community involvement in urban forestry, ensuring that residents actively participate in tree-planting initiatives and long-term conservation efforts.
Deanne Brettle, Chair of Birmingham TreePeople added: "We are thrilled that Birmingham has achieved Tree Cities of the World status. It is a testament to the dedication of volunteers, local communities, and the council in ensuring our city’s trees are valued and protected.
"We look forward to continuing our work to make Birmingham even greener and more sustainable and resilient to future extremes of weather."
The Tree Cities of the World programme connects cities across the globe that are dedicated to urban tree care, fostering knowledge-sharing and best practice in sustainable urban forestry. Birmingham now joins a network of cities working to create greener, healthier, and more sustainable urban environments.
Check out their website for more information on how to get involved with Birmingham TreePeople.
