OHIO LEADS THE NATION WITH RECORD
222 TREE CITY USA COMMUNITIES

COLUMBUS, OH -- Ohio has once again retained its standing as national leader in the number of Tree City USA communities, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Sam Speck announced today. This marks Ohio's 18th consecutive year as the top participant in the nation's most prestigious urban forestry program.

"Last year, through the Tree City USA program, Ohioans planted nearly 65,000 trees and volunteered more than 60,000 hours to urban forestry efforts," said Speck. "The citizens of Ohio's 222 Tree City USA cities and villages should be proud of their commitment to improving their communities through participation in this important program."

Tree City USA communities must meet the following criteria: establish a Tree Board or department to carry out a tree care program; enact and enforce 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 proclamation from the mayor.

Since 1979, the ODNR Division of Forestry has assisted communities in establishing and maintaining comprehensive tree care programs. In 1997, Ohio became the first state to have more than 200 designated communities in any one year.

The Tree City USA program, created in 1976, is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities and the National Association of State Foresters.

A FULL LIST OF OHIO TREE CITY USA COMMUNITIES

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