LINCOLN, Nebraska–In February 2023, Ada was named a 2022 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to effective urban forest management. The community also received a Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating environmental improvement and an outstanding level of tree care.
Michele Brunk, Tree Commission Member, explains that Ada achieved this award by meeting the program's four requirements: maintaining a tree board or department, having a tree care ordinance, dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
The Tree City designation and growth award will be presented to the Village of Ada on May 9, 2023 at the Tree City-Tree Campus USA Awards presentation in Wauseon Ohio.
Brunk also notes, “Spring will be here in just a few days and much like previous years, residents of Ada may have started to notice colored flags on their property. Those flags are marking spots where we will be planting new trees. We try to pick spaces where there is a lack of trees. We have received our shipment of trees and will be working to get those planted in the coming weeks. Residents may also notice Ohio Utility Protection Services marking underground lines prior to planting.”
The Village will hold the village’s 42nd annual Arbor day celebration on April 28, 2023, when it will present Ada Elementary 3rd graders with seedlings to plant. This year’s seedling selection is River Birch.
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About Tree City Recognition
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
"Tree City USA communities see the positive effects of an urban forest firsthand," said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The trees being planted and cared for by Ada are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program brings residents together and creates a sense of civic pride, whether it's through volunteer engagement or public education."
More information on the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.
About the Arbor Day Foundation
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters and valued partners. Since 1972, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival.
As one of the world's largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees. More information is available at www.arborday.org.
