List of 2012 Tree Line USA participants also available online

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We have recently updated our webpage to include the 2012 recipients of Tree Line USA recognition.

A total of 145 utility providers have been named a Tree Line USA in honor of their commitment to proper tree pruning, planting and care in the their respective service areas.

Unlike Tree City USA and Tree Campus USA, which offer recognition for the previous calendar year, Tree Line USA rewards utilities for the year in progress.

Tree Line USA is a partnership between the Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters.

Jacksonville Electric Authority of Jacksonville, Florida, and Avista Utilities of Washington State are among the providers being named a Tree Line USA for the first time. Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, Idaho Power Company and Arizona Public Service Company are among the providers that have been recognized for more than 15 years in a row.

These providers and dozens of others recognize the critical role trees play in the urban landscape. Their actions demonstrate that proper pruning and care of trees is good for business, customers and the broader community.

Winning utilities achieved the Tree Line USA by meeting five program standards:

  • Follow industry standards for quality tree care
  • Provide annual worker training in best tree-care practices
  • Sponsor a tree-planting and public education program
  • Maintain a tree-based energy conservation program, and
  • Participate in an Arbor Day celebration.

More information on the program and a complete list of winners can be found at arborday.org/TreeLineUSA. If you do not see your local provider on the list, we encourage you to let them know about the program and ask them to apply.

Tree City USA website updated to reflect 2011 winners

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Following months of reviewing applications and with Arbor Day behind us, we are now able to share an updated list of Tree City USA communities from the 2011 calendar year.

Tree City USA, now in its 36th year, is sponsored by the Foundation, the United States Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. The early support of the U.S. Forest Service was a major impetus behind their 2012 Arbor Day Award for A Legacy of Partnership.

The Tree City USA program boosts tremendous growth in participation and a near-perfect renewal rate. In order to become a Tree City USA, communities must maintain four standards:

  • A tree board of department
  • A tree care ordinance
  • A annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita
  • An Arbor Day observance and proclamation

As in previous years, communities that reach an even higher standard of urban forest management are recognized with a Tree City USA Growth America.

Check our website to find out if your community is a Tree City USA.

Partnerships central to Arbor Day Awards, inspiration for top honor to U.S. Forest Service

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This year’s Arbor Day Awards, held at Lied Lodge & Conference Center on Saturday, April 28, took on a special meaning due to the 40 the anniversary of the Arbor Day Foundation and the 140th year of the tree planting holiday.

John Rosenow, founder and chief executive, noted that the first Arbor Day Awards were presented on the east portico of Arbor Lodge in 1972.

“A lot has happened in the tree planting world in the four decades since – both extraordinary accomplishments, and trends best reversed,” he said, echoing similar themes from an op-ed published in the Dallas Morning News the previous day.

The Arbor Day Foundation has been able to make progress on replanting in our nation’s forests, investing in effective management of community trees and other priorities in the past 40 years because of our strong partners. The invaluable contribution of Foundation partners was the inspiration behind our highest honor this year: A Legacy of Partnership Award for the United States Forest Service.

With the Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters, the U.S. Forest Service in 1976 launched Tree City USA to provide resources and recognition to communities for sustained investments in tree management and care. Today, more than 140 million Americans in 3,500 communities live in a Tree City USA.

The U.S. Forest Service has supported the planting of 24 million trees in more than 60 of our national forests, in partnership with the Foundation. The agency was also instrumental in the construction of Lied Lodge and Conference Center at Arbor Day Farm, where many of the Foundation’s core principles come to life.

The U.S. Forest Service was represented at the Arbor Day Awards by Deputy Chief Leslie Weldon, who was one of only two speakers during the presentation – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley was the other.

The short film prepared by the Foundation speaks to our enduring partnership, as well as the agency’s work with local stakeholders in its earlier years conserving land for future generations and collaborations with the Civilian Conservation Corps and Veterans Administration to create jobs.

You read more about all 16 of our 2012 Arbor Day Award winners and watch the short videos we put together here.

North Dakota celebrates International Peace Garden, Vermont replants trees lost in Hurricane Irene

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North Dakota

Nicknamed the “Peace Garden State” for being home to the International Peace Garden (a 2,339 acre Botanical Garden straddling the international Boundary between North Dakota and the Canadian province of Manitoba), the State of North Dakota honors Arbor Day today, the first Friday in May.

Photo Credit: Sterling News

The City of Fargo will honor Arbor Day with a tree planting by local elementary students and volunteers. The locations for the celebrations vary and include school grounds, parks city streets, bike trails and hiking areas. Bismarck will recognize Arbor Day by dedicating ceremonial Arbor Day trees to local citizens whose efforts have made a significant contribution to Bismarck’s urban forest.

According to the North Dakota Forest Service, the 2012 State Arbor Day Celebration will also honor the 100th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts by planting a “Girl Scout Grove” at the International Peace Garden. Opened in 1932, the International Peace Garden claims to be the longest unguarded border in the world. This event offers the North Dakota Forest Service an opportunity to recognize the Girl Scouts for their many years of hands-on tree planting accomplishments.

It is fitting for the Girls Scouts to celebrate their centennial at the International Peace Garden since they were involved in its dedication in 1932.

You can find more information about the Girl Scouts Centennial, here.

Arbor Day Foundation members have helped plant more than 33,662 trees across the state last year. The State of North Dakota is currently home to 46 Tree City USA communities. The largest Tree City USA in North Dakota is Fargo, population 99,200; the smallest is Pekin, population 80.

Vermont

During the fall, Vermont’s trees attract tourists from all over the United States who come to see the brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange foliage. Known as the “Green Mountain State” for its green, forest-covered mountains, Vermont also recognizes Arbor Day today.

Photo Credit: PRWeb

The Vermont Division of Forestry offers a variety of activities for Arbor Day 2012. Vermont students (grades 1-8th) can engage in learning about trees through the “Growing Works of Art” contest. This competition is meant to enrich students’ knowledge about Vermont’s trees and provide students with an opportunity to author what will become a set of trading cards to be collected by students across the state.  You can learn more about the Growing Works of Art contest, here.

Vermont also hosts a unique activity called the “Arbor Day Passport.”  Students (grades K-8th) complete a certain number of workbook projects to receive prizes such as a set of Tree Trading Cards or a Vermont State Parks day use pass. Learn more here.

Over the past year, Hurricane Irene caused some of the worst flooding Vermont had seen in 83 years. As a result of the tropical storm, many trees were blown down or damaged and had to be trimmed or taken down. Vermont was the first state to designate a day to clean up the entire state known as, “Green Up Day.”

This year, The State Irene Recovery Office has partnered with Green Up Vermont to incorporate Irene recovery activities into Green Up Day, creating the Green Up to Recover initiative. If you’re interested in being involved with the tree-planting or other environmental volunteer opportunities associated with Green Up Day, you can find more information here.

Arbor Day Foundation members have helped plant more than 65,715 trees across the state last year.  The State of Vermont is currently home to 8 Tree City USA communities. The largest Tree City USA in Vermont is Burlington, population 39,348; the smallest is Peacham, population 668.

 

Governor O’Malley tells fellow Arbor Day Award winners “reversing deforestation is complicated; planting a tree is simple”

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Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley was among the 16 organizations and individuals honored with an Arbor Day Award this past weekend.

He received the inaugural Vision Award, in recognition of his extraordinary work promoting urban and forestland conservation and planting.

The Governor stressed the importance of planting trees in his acceptance speech on Saturday in Nebraska City, recalling the story of the child who asks her grandfather about the best time to plant a tree.

Her grandfather says, “Well, it takes time for those roots to go deep and for branches to spread… and so the most important time to plant a tree is 20 years ago.” And the little girl asks, “Well, when is the next best time to plant a tree?” The grandfather responds:”Right now.”

He also put his own spin on the often ideologically charged term “pro-growth,” broadening it to include growth in opportunity, quality-of-life and the enjoyment of earth’s bounty. “In Maryland,” the Governor said, “we consider ourselves pro-growth Americans.”

You see, we believe in growing jobs, and growing opportunity. Like you, we believe in children growing healthy, growing educated, and growing strong. We believe in grandparents growing old with dignity and love. Like you we believe in growing trees, growing stream buffers, growing food for a hungry world.

Governor O’Malley shared his remarks on the Huffington Post yesterday. Below is the video the Foundation put together detailing his accomplishments.

Dallas Morning News runs Arbor Day op-ed

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John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, had an op-ed  printed in the Dallas Morning News last Friday, April 27 – National Arbor Day.

In the piece, John discussed J. Sterling Morton’s wish for each generation to do its part as trustees of the earth. The spread of responsible urban forest management through Tree City USA, coupled with laws to protect our air, water and natural resources, are successes to celebrate, he writes. But in more recent years, he adds, the problem-solving conservationist spirit behind those milestones has diminished, with potentially destructive consequences for the earth.

The piece is best read in whole rather than snippets, so I will forgo attempting to summarize and instead invite you to read it for yourself here.

Wyoming inspires the Arbor Day spirit year-round

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Wyoming marks Arbor Day today, the last Monday in April.

Cheyenne and Casper, the two largest cities in the sparsely-populated Equality State, both have activities planned.

Wyoming residents have often been an inspiration for the Arbor Day Foundation, and vice versa. The Casper-based Laurie’s Inn, the first certified Nature Explore classroom in the state of Wyoming, was recertified for the third year in a row in 2011. Inn owner and childcare provider Laura Stadtfeld is eager to share the wonders of the outdoors with both children and their families.

Likewise, Lisa Olson, director of forestry for Cheyenne, was inspired by the awesome and enriching experience children were having at our tree house here at Arbor Day Farm, an experience noted by our founder and chief executive John Rosenow during his remarks on the dedication of the new Discovery Ride Depot this past weekend.

As John described it, Lisa was so inspired by what she saw that she decided her hometown needed something similar. Lisa kept at it until her dream became a reality. Cheyenne now has a 20-foot tall tower adjoining a grove of ponderosa pine trees in the city’s Lions Park.

The enjoyment children derive from this community treasure in Cheyenne is plain to see. The success is obvious, according to Lisa. “When it came time to evaluate success of the project,” she says, “I suggested that the grantor simply look at how the wooden steps are already being worn down.”

Wyoming is currently home to 42 Tree City USA communities, accounting for 337,766 people. The largest Tree City USA in the State of Wyoming is Cheyenne, population 57,618; the smallest is Chugwater, population 244.

 Photo courtesy of the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce.

On Arbor Day, Nebraska is where it all began

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It was 140 years ago that Nebraskan J. Sterling Morton proposed the nation’s first tree-planting holiday. A century later, the Arbor Day Foundation was launched, in large part to bring the spirit of conservation and stewardship to the forefront all year round.

The Foundation has grown and evolved a lot in the past 40 years, but the mission remains the same: we inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees.

Nebraska is still steeped in Arbor Day history. The Foundation continues to make its headquarters in downtown Lincoln. Tomorrow, we will hold the 40th annual Arbor Day Awards at Lied Lodge & Conference on the Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City. The winners will accept their award on the ground Morton once called his own, the site of his 52-room mansion.

Morton’s politics stressed both conservatism and conservation, a marriage less common in these times. He saw people as earth’s trustees – if we take care of our natural resources, they will take care of us.

Born in Nebraska, Arbor Day is now celebrated in all 50 states and around the world.

Nebraska is currently home to 108 Tree City USA communities, accounting for 1.2 million people. The largest Tree City USA in Nebraska is Omaha, population 440,691; the smallest is Julian, population 71.

Three of Nebraska’s neighbors in the Great Plains are also celebrating today.

Iowa, to the east, is currently home to 87 Tree City USA communities, accounting for 1.4 million people. The largest Tree City USA in Iowa is Des Moines, population 190,000; the smallest is Westphalia, population 160.

Kansas, to Nebraska’s immediate south, is currently home to 104 Tree City USA communities, accounting for nearly two million people. The largest Tree City USA in Kansas is Wichita, population 346,000; the smallest is Formoso, population 100.

And, South Dakota, to the north, is currently home to 36 Tree City USA communities, accounting for about half a million people. The largest Tree City USA in South Dakota is Sioux Falls, population 157,937; the smallest is Buffalo Gap, population 125.

Image courtesy of the Nebraska Department of Roads.

Today is the last day of online voting for “America’s Favorite Cherry Tree”

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“Americas Favorite Cherry Tree,” an online poll launched in January by the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Cherry Blossom Festival, will close for voting at midnight tonight.

Three finalists are in the running: the Yoshino, Kwanzan and Autumn Flowering Cherry Tree.

The winner will be announced tomorrow, National Arbor Day and end of the Festival’s Centennial Celebration.

The poll can be accessed at arborday.org/cherryvote. You can also purchase from among a collection of individual cherry trees suitable for your own backyard and climate, with a portion of every sale benefiting the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

About 6,500 from all 50 states and more than 25 countries have participated in the poll as of this week.

Midwestern states offer a variety of Arbor Day activities, from Curious George reading to community tree planting

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(Ed. Note: 24 states celebrate Arbor Day on the last Friday in April, the same date as National Arbor Day, which this year falls on the 27th. This week, we’ll be highlighting what a variety of regions are doing to prepare for the tree-planting holiday. Today, we will feature Midwest states; Monday was New England; Tuesday was the Mid-Atlantic; Wednesday was Western states; and Friday the Great Plains.)

Illinois: 

The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois is hosting a variety of activities for Arbor Day 2012.  The beloved children’s character, Curious George, kicks off the Arboretum’s Arbor Day festivities. Children can meet Curious George, hear the story Curious George Plants a Tree and help George plant a tree.

In celebration of Arbor Day, the Morton Arboretum will also be tagging several thousand trees around the City of Chicago and seven communities (Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Lombard, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lisle, and Naperville) with green value tags, proclaiming their environmental worth in dollars. You can find out more about this project and the value of trees here. Additional Arbor Day activities can be found here.

Arbor Day Foundation members have helped plant more than 266,670 trees across the state last year.

The State of Illinois is currently home to 188 Tree City USA communities. The largest Tree City USA in Illinois is Chicago, population 2,746,590; the smallest is Steward, population 271.

Indiana: 

The Indianapolis Power & Light Company recognizes Arbor Day 2012 by giving away 1,000 free trees as part of the Indy Free Tree program. The Indy Free Tree program aims to promote stewardship of the environment as well as to educate the public about the importance of trees, caring for trees and planting the “Right Tree in the Right Place” so as not to interfere with power lines.

Arbor Day Foundation members have helped plant more than 279,584 trees across the state last year. If you’re interested in Arbor Day activities or tree planting volunteer opportunities in your area, please visit the arbordaynow.org Volunteer Center.

The State of Indiana is currently home to 67 Tree City USA communities. The largest Tree City USA in Indiana is Indianapolis, population 860,454; the smallest is Mount Ayr, population 130.

Michigan:

Join Michigan’s Go Green Youth Challenge to honor Arbor Day this year. According to the Michigan Arbor Day Alliance website, the Go Green Youth Challenge is a statewide initiative to engage youth in environmental stewardship, community development and service-learning by participating in a campaign to plant trees in Michigan.

Photo Credit: ThePureBar.com

Youth (K-12) are challenged to collect coins as an individual, classroom or club. The coins collected will directly fund community tree plantings. Tree planting sites include school yards, cities and towns and conservation areas such as stream bank stabilization and habitat restoration.  Check for your or other community Arbor Day celebrations in Michigan here.

Arbor Day Foundation members have helped plant more than 405,923 trees across the state last year. The State of Michigan is currently home to 120 Tree City USA communities. The largest Tree City USA in Michigan is Detroit, population 850,000; the smallest is Richland, population 725.

Minnesota:

Minnesota’s 2012 Arbor Month theme is “Creating a Healthy Community Forest.” The idea is to encourage planting a wide variety of native trees to create a diverse community forest that is more resilient to large-scale devastation by tree pests. To help diversify community forests, the DNR created A Homeowner’s Guide to Creating a Healthy Yard. You can download the guide here.

You can visit Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources website to find more activity suggestions for community Arbor Day Celebrations throughout the state.

Arbor Day Foundation members have helped plant more than 225,665 trees across the state last year. The State of Minnesota is currently home to 96 Tree City USA communities. The largest Tree City USA in Minnesota is Minneapolis, population 372,833; the smallest is Sunfish Lake, population 525.

Ohio: 

Various Ohio communities are honoring Arbor Day with tree giveaways, nature walks and informational sessions on how to be responsible stewards of the earth.  Wilberforce University students and staff celebrated Arbor Day early on April 18, by planting 50 trees on campus. The trees were supplied by the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota.

Arbor Day Foundation members have helped plant more than 438,024 trees across Ohio last year. If you’re interested in Arbor Day activities or tree planting volunteer opportunities in your area, please visit the arbordaynow.org Volunteer Center.

The State of Ohio is currently home to 244 Tree City USA communities. The largest Tree City USA in Ohio is Columbus, population 769,360; the smallest is Put-In-Bay, population 128.

Pennsylvania:

Communities in Pennsylvania are celebrating Arbor Day 2012 with festivals, tree giveaways, arborist demonstrations and tree tours.

Photo Credit: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Westchester will be showcasing its methods of combating the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive beetle species that threatens the survival of Pennsylvania’s ash trees. The city of Westchester will be presenting an Emerald Ash Borer management plan and demonstrating how property owners can combat the insect that they hope others communities will embrace and implement.

Arbor Day Foundation members have helped plant more than 391,469 trees across the state last year. If you’re interested in Arbor Day activities or tree planting volunteer opportunities in your area, please visit the arbordaynow.org Volunteer Center.

The State of Pennsylvania is currently home to 108 Tree City USA communities. The largest Tree City USA in Pennsylvania is Philadelphia, population 1,540,539; the smallest is Eagles Mere, population 150.