Beautification Board

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Mission

The Gulf Shores Beautification Board exists to preserve, protect, and expand the urban forest; and to guide and enhance through environmental stewardship the aesthetics of the city by providing and planting trees, by directing development through ordinances, and by educating citizens.

Members

• Cindy Key, Chairman
• Zetty Bauer, Co-Chairman
• Mary Wayne Gilmore, Publicity Chairman
• Linda Bender
• David Mayfield
• Elizabeth Moore
• Lisa Osborn
• Karen Still

Members must be a resident of the City.

Term

3 years

Appointed By

Mayor & Confirmed by City Council

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are also available following approval. 

 View All Agendas and Minutes

Tree City USA

The City of Gulf Shores has been named a Tree City for 38 years. To be a Tree City recipient, the community must meet four standards set by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Communities must meet all four standards through activities accomplished between January 1 and December 31.     

The Four Tree City USA Standards:

1. Establish Responsibility: Designate a city department, a tree board (often citizen-led), or an arborist to be responsible for public tree care.
2. Set the Rules (Tree Care Ordinance): Implement a local law or policy for managing and protecting public trees, ensuring best practices for planting, maintenance, and removal.
3. Allocate Resources: Spend a minimum of $2 per resident annually on community forestry activities, including planting, maintenance, management, and volunteer support.
4. Celebrate Arbor Day: Proclaim and observe Arbor Day with a public event and tree planting. 

Tree City USA presents the participating city with a trophy marking ten consecutive years of participation in the Tree City USA program. As of 2025, the City of Gulf Shores has three, with a fourth to be awarded in 2027.  

Tree City USA Growth Awards

The Tree City USA Growth Award is presented annually by the Arbor Day Foundation to participating Tree City USA communities that demonstrate a high level of tree care and community engagement during the calendar year.

The Tree City USA Growth Award recognizes extra efforts in sustainable urban forestry beyond the basic four standards (tree board, ordinance, $2/capita/year spending, Arbor Day observance) by awarding points for specific activities in categories like team building, planning, and education, with a minimum of 10 points needed to qualify, showing a community's long-term commitment through documented milestones like tree inventories, new educational programs, or improved ordinances. 

The City of Gulf Shores, as of 2025, has received the Growth Award for 25years.     

Tree City USA – Sterling Communities

A community that has earned 10 Growth Awards is recognized as a Sterling Tree City USA. Sterling communities are regarded as leaders in community forestry and are most often looked upon as innovators.

The City of Gulf Shores attained the Sterling Communities Award in 2010.