Greetings to Geneseo Village Residents,
We would like to let you know about an exciting development in the village! On January 22, 2026, the village of Geneseo was designated as a Tree City USA community by the National Arbor Day Foundation!! The designation reflects the work of a group of folks including the Mayor, Village Board, and a newly formed Tree Board. The intent of this communication is to introduce you to the Tree Board and the work we will be undertaking in the next few months.
What is the Tree Board’s Mission?
The Geneseo Village Tree Board is dedicated to cultivating, preserving, and enhancing our village forest. We commit to educating our community on the vital environmental and aesthetic benefits of trees, promoting sustainable urban forestry practices, and helping to ensure a vibrant tree canopy will exist for both present and future generations of Geneseo residents.
Who are the current Tree Board Members?
The board consists of five (5) members including Whitney Carleton, Dwight Folts, Steve Miskell, Tom Whitmore, and Dan Hayes (chairperson). It is likely that we will look to add two more members to our team in the coming months.
What did we accomplish after being formed in mid-2025?
• A Tree Ordinance was completed as a prerequisite requirement for Tree City USA. Village Local Law #4 was approved by the Village Board in November.
• A Tree City USA application with supporting documentation was approved by the National Arbor Day Foundation following comprehensive reviews by regional and state-wide New York State Department of Environmental Conservation urban foresters.
What activities are we planning for the first half of 2026?
1. Organize an Arbor Day event on April 24th, 2026 in partnership with the Village Board, Garden Club, and the Department of Public Works.
2. Create a form for village residents to request a tree planting in the village space adjacent to their residence.
3. Create an “approved” tree list to be posted on the Village website.
4. Investigate potential state and federal funding opportunities towards an initial goal of establishing a comprehensive village tree inventory.
If you would like to learn more about the Tree Board or how you can get involved, please let us know.

We look forward to hearing from you!
Dan Hayes (danandkittyhayes@gmail.com)