LANSING — The Department of Natural Resources and the Arbor Day Foundation today announced that 125 Michigan communities have been awarded “Tree City USA” certification for their promotion of community forestry in 2013.
The Tree City USA program promotes proper tree care and management in urban areas and calls attention to the economic, health and aesthetic benefits trees offer. Communities are certified for work accomplished in 2013 and were presented with their awards materials in early April to coincide with Arbor Day and spring tree planting projects.
To be eligible to participate in the Tree City USA program, a community must have:
- A designated board or department responsible for tree-care issues.
- A local tree ordinance.
- A budget for public tree care of at least $2 per capita.
- An annual Arbor Day celebration and official Arbor Day proclamation.
“Receiving the Tree City USA award is something to be proud of,” said Kevin Sayers, DNR Urban Forestry program coordinator. “This designation signifies a community’s commitment to caring for urban trees as a valuable resource in the places we live.
Click here for the full list of the 2013 Tree Cities.
