Joe Benassini Appointed Urban Forest Services Manager

City of Sacramento’s First Urban Forest Services Begins New Job

Sacramento, California, September 26, 2005 – The City of Sacramento has appointed Joe Benassini to the position of Urban Forest Services Manager.  Benassini brings more than 33 years of experience to the position.

“For the last five years, Joe has been the arborist for the City of Folsom, overseeing a variety of urban forest issues ranging from tree preservation, hazard evaluation, and tree management,” said Robert G. Overstreet, Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation.  “Beginning today Joe assumes his new responsibilities in our Urban Forest Services Division, formerly known as Tree Services, bringing his years of experience to help guide and manage our "City of Trees”.

The City of Sacramento maintains more than 165,000 trees in parks, streets, and medians throughout the City.  Sacramento is known throughout the United States as the “City of Trees,” consisting of a wide variety of species, including Oak Trees, English Elm Trees, and Eucalyptus Trees.

“I am proud and honored to be selected for this position,” said Benassini.  “Sacramento is respected for the quality of its urban forest program and unprecedented community support.  My quest is to help strengthen that respect and help craft an urban forest management program that ensures the continued safety and growth of our urban forest.”

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