Arbor Day Foundation honors Greencastle

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

The City of Greencastle has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry.

Greencastle has now earned the national recognition for 12 years.

Greencastle also received a Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program. The Growth Award honors environmental improvement and higher levels of tree care in Tree City USA communities.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the non-profit Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.

Greencastle has again met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community. Tree City USA communities must have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program with annual expenditures of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

"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," John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation, said. "We also commend a community's elected officials, volunteers and its citizens for providing needed care for its trees. They recognize that trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits for the community every day."

The Arbor Day Foundation is a non-profit, environmental and education organization of more than one million members. Its mission is to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at www.arborday.org.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: