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Apr
11
Written by:
news editor
4/11/2012 1:00 AM
Ohio remains the nation’s leader in Tree City USA communities with 237 participating cities, villages and townships.
Program recognizes communities committed to urban tree care and planting programs
COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio remains the nation’s leader in Tree City USA communities with 237 participating cities, villages and townships. This marks Ohio’s 31st year as the top Tree City USA state, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Forestry.
“Half of Ohioans live and work in a Tree City USA and enjoy a variety of benefits that come with having more trees, such as cleaner air and water, reduced stormwater runoff and increased property values,” said Bob Boyles, state forester and chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. “The Tree City USA program also helps communities deal with urban forestry challenges, such as the emerald ash borer.”
As part of this nationwide program, Ohioans last year planted more than 28,000 trees, pruned more than 92,000 trees, volunteered more than 43,000 hours landscaping public parks and preserves and invested more than $39 million toward urban forestry efforts.
Since 1979, the ODNR Division of Forestry has assisted communities in enhancing the quality of life within cities and villages through comprehensive tree planting and care programs. In 1997, Ohio became the first state to have more than 200 Tree City USA communities.
Participating communities must establish a tree board or department to carry out a tree care program, enact a community tree ordinance to provide direction, fund the community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita and celebrate Arbor Day with a community ceremony and mayoral proclamation.
The Tree City USA program, created in 1976, is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities and the National Association of State Foresters.
The ODNR Division of Forestry works to promote the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands. To learn more about Ohio’s woodlands, visit www.ohiodnr.com/forestry.
Editor’s Note: Pictured is tree-lined Chestnut Street in the village of Mariemont.
For more information, contact:
Drew Todd, ODNR Division of Forestry
614-265-6707
Bethany McCorkle, ODNR Office of Communications
614-265-6873
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