The Arbor Day Foundation has named Evanston a Tree City USA for the 28th consecutive year.
The announcement comes ahead of the annual Arbor Day observance on Friday, April 27, and city officials say only 10 communities in the state have a longer consecutive run of the awards than Evanston.
The foundation also has recognized Evanston’s commitment to urban forestry with the Growth Award.for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program. The foundation says the Growth Award honors environmental improvement and higher levels of tree care in Tree City USA communities.”
Paul D’Agostino, superintendent for Parks/Forestry and Facilities Management for the city, said that the Tree City USA Award helped Evanston receive two grants from the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus to replace trees that were lost due to the Emerald Ash Borer.
In 2011, the grant was for $30,000 and the 2012 grant was for $16,115.
“Communities that are honored with a Tree City USA designation and a Growth Award make a strong commitment to planting and caring for trees, and we applaud their efforts,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation.
“We also commend a community’s elected officials, volunteers and citizens for providing needed care for its trees. They recognize that trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits for the community every day.”
Tree City
Congratulations to us! Another sign?
More opportunities for trees
Yes, congratulations to us! .. with no more signs.. please!. And, for those who may have missed it, there was a good op-ed piece in the NYTimes yesterday on Why Trees Matter.
More trees can help with so many issues, including climate change. We really need to plant more trees and the City of Evanston can only do so much. Consider planting a tree on your own private property!
"When is the best time to plant a tree? Twenty years ago. The second best time? Today!"