Edmond's Public Image Highlighted by Green Canopy

Greg Smith was the Rotarian of the Day at the September 12th meeting and introduced Ryan Ochsner, Director of Community Image, for the city of Edmond and the University of Central Oklahoma. Ryan may be familiar to some of us as the former Urban Forestry Coordinator for Edmond. 

Ryan's presentation centered on the enforcement branch  that  ensures the preservation of Native and important non-native vegetation that contribute to the existing "canopy" of greenery that makes Edmond an attractive environmentally friendly community.  New construction, primarily industrial and commercial is under the jurisdiction of his department and must conform to the city ordinances now in place. Some phases of the domestic housing that is widespread does not directly fall under these rules.  Fortunately these developments must pass rigorous oversight of the urban planning commission which so far has rigorously upheld the requirements for greenbelt and old growth preservation. The Code Enforcement Division strives to keep City of Edmond one of the cleanest communities in the metro area and helps to coordinate local volunteers to work on projects to assist those in need of help to maintain their property.