Bluffdale recognized for tree use

BLUFFDALE — The city of Bluffdale and two of its residents are being recognized for embracing the utilization of trees as a civic initiative.

The Utah Community Forest Council and the Utah chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture have declared Bluffdale the 2006 Community of the Year.

In addition, Bluffdale residents Michelle Palmer and Jana Christensen have been honored with Community Forester of the Year awards.

The awards come after city leaders, volunteers and residents worked to create the 29-acre park adjacent to the city administration building and fire station.

The city has established a resident volunteer tree board and has enacted a tree ordinance. Those efforts have boosted Bluffdale to Tree City USA status in recent years.

Palmer and Christensen are volunteer members of the Bluffdale Tree Board. They are credited with the development and planning of parks and recreation locations in Bluffdale.

The two residents will be honored at 6:30 p.m. during tonight's City Council meeting at City Hall, 14175 S. Redwood Road.