The Tree Advisory Board was founded by Mayor Ben Nelson. The Tree Advisory Board realizes the importance of trees to our community, our world and our lives. The Board works to keep the City of Bonita Springs a Tree City USA. The Board also protects heritage trees such as live oak, banyan trees, and slash pines not only for history and longevity, but for how they positively impact ecosystems. The Board reviews land development and zoning sites prior to redevelopment to ensure heritage trees are protected and preserved. They also work to inform the public about native plants that are healthy for our community and invasive exotics that should be avoided, as well as good pruning practices. Also, the Board deals with non-native invasive plants.