Urbana Named Tree City USA by Arbor Day Foundation

A line of flowering trees is shown in full bloom this week along East Water Street near the Jefferson Avenue intersection. Urbana was named a 2018 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation at an awards ceremony on April 18 in recognition of the city’s continued commitment to the management of its urban forest. Brenda Burns | Urbana Daily Citizen

Urbana was named a 2018 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation at an awards ceremony on April 18 in recognition of the city’s continued commitment to the management of its urban forest. Urbana is one of 237 participating cities, villages and townships in Ohio, the state with the most Tree City USA communities for the 38th consecutive year.

To be named a Tree City USA, Urbana must have an active tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

South Main Street has received significant new plantings in recent years, contributing to Urbana’s recognition as a 2018 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. Christopher Selmek | Urbana Daily Citizen

“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first-hand,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Additionally, recognition brings residents together and creates a sense of community pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”

“Each year, we are impressed with the dedication and commitment of Ohio’s Tree City USA communities in managing their urban forest resource,” said Dan Balser, chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry. “Trees provide important economic, environmental and quality of life benefits that are critical to our state’s sustainability. We are immensely pleased with their accomplishments and honored to play a small part in their continued success.”

Urbana joins the neighboring cities of Springfield, Bellefontaine, Marysville, London, Sidney, Piqua and Troy in being named a Tree City USA for 2018. As part of this nationwide program, Ohioans last year planted more than 24,000 trees, pruned more than 77,000 trees, volunteered more than 42,000 hours in their urban forestry programs and invested a combined total of more than $40 million toward urban forestry efforts.

Trees provide multiple benefits to a community when properly planted and maintained. They help to improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants, and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.

Urbana’s Shade Tree Commission is comprised of the following members who serve in an advisory and supporting role to city staff in the city’s urban forest management efforts: Jim Lemon, Ward Lutz, Earl Cottrill, John Kussman, Colin Stein and Doug Crabill. In 2018, members of the commission volunteered in excess of 115 hours.

Currently, the seat representing the 1st ward on the commission is vacant. Residents interested in being appointed can contact Mayor Bill Bean or their city council representative.
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The Arbor Day observance and celebration for 2019 will be held this month at the new Urbana Elementary School campus.