COLUMBUS, OH -- For the 19th consecutive year, Ohio has retained its standing as the nation's leader in the number of Tree City USA communities, with 220 participating cities, villages and municipalities, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Sam Speck announced today.
Ohioans planted more than 44,000 trees, pruned more than 115,000 trees, volunteered nearly 50,000 hours and invested more than $31 million towards urban forestry efforts in 2000.
"Ohio's 220 Tree City USA communities are putting progressive urban forestry programs to work in their neighborhoods and public spaces in ways that improve the lives of all Ohioans," said ODNR Director Sam Speck. "I applaud their efforts in making Ohio, once again, the nation's leader in this important effort."
Tree City USA helps foster an appreciation for the important role trees play in a community's environmental quality. It encourages citizens to become more involved in tree care and planting programs, which enhance their neighborhoods.
Participating 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.