BEAUTIFICATION DEPT.
Awards and Achievements
Through innovative thinking and support of Mayor Les Fillingame, the Bay St. Louis Beautification Department has transformed Bay St. Louis into a showcase for everyone to enjoy. Through the many projects and continuous efforts of the Department, Bay St. Louis has been recognized with awards for excellence.
Donna Yowell, of the Mississippi Urban Forest Council, and Mayor Les Fillingame
R.J. Pierce, Donna Yowell of the Mississippi Urban Forest Council, Mayor Les Fillingame and Katie Stewart
Forestry Awards
The Mississippi Urban Forest Council awarded the City of Bay St. Louis three Urban and Community Forestry Awards. The City received their first Tree City USA certification for completing four forestry criteria. To qualify for Tree City USA each community must spend $2 per capita, host an Arbor Day proclamation and event plus have a tree ordinance with tree board.
The second award, the “Green Mayor Award” went to Mayor Les Fillingame for his outstanding leadership in reforesting Bay St. Louis. The City also received the statewide “Reforesting Award.” The Reforesting Award is given to cities that have mandated replacing trees lost to storm damage or disease as being important to the overall health of the community. The “Green Mayor Award” is given to only one mayor in the state, each year and was awarded to Mayor Fillingame, for his environmental awareness.
Tree City USA
Bay St. Louis was recognized by the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry with this national designation.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.
Bay St. Louis has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community. Tree City USA communities must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
“We commend Bay St. Louis’s elected officials, volunteers and its citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest,” said John Rosenow, Chief Executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits to millions of people each day, and we applaud communities that make planting and caring for trees a top priority.”
Communities that earn Tree City USA recognition not only have taken the time to meet the four standards, they know that trees:
**Promote healthier communities by filtering the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles.
**Moderate climate, conserve water and provide vital habitat for wildlife.
**Reduce the heat island effect in urban areas caused by pavement and buildings.
**Increase property values and reduce energy use and add beauty to our homes and neighborhoods.
The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit, environmental and education organization of nearly one million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at www.arborday.org.
Urban Forestry Conference - 2015
At the 28th Annual Urban Forestry Conference in 2015, the Mississippi Urban Forest Council awarded Mayor Les Fillingame his second "Green Mayor Award" for his commitment to keeping Bay St. Louis green.
The “Green Mayor Award” is given to only one mayor in the state, each year and Mayor Fillingame proudly accepted the award, and thanked the dedication of volunteers in our community such as Katharine Ohman and Ellis Anderson for their hard work and efforts.