Growing Communities with Tree City USA

A city that takes care of its trees takes care of its people. Since 1976, the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program has recognized and supported the cities and leaders who create places to play, room to breathe, and beauty on every block.

Their standards have empowered more than 3,500 cities to create and maintain tree cover. From Sibley, North Dakota (population 20) to New York City, and everywhere in between, Tree City USA helps communities demonstrate and promote their commitment to a greener place to call home.

Communities across North Dakota have made this exceptional commitment to their urban and community forest resources and have earned the designation of “Tree City USA”. To earn this recognition, communities must meet four overarching standards. They include maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and celebrating Arbor Day. These efforts impact our state’s health, safety, and economy; enhance our quality of life; and make our cities and towns a more beautiful place to live, work, and play.

In North Dakota, there currently are 50 communities registered as a Tree City USA. Five of these communities also received a Growth Award, which recognizes major milestones and annual activities that build sustainable community forestry programs over the long term. Four Tree Campus Higher Education awards were recognized in the state as well: Dakota College at Bottineau, North Dakota State University, United Tribes Technical College, and University of North Dakota.