Two decades as Tree City, USA!
Photo by JOSH MCDONALD Members of the Kellogg Tree Committee celebrated Arbor Day by showing off their new Tree City, USA, flag at one of their more recently planted trees. Pictured from left is April Muhs, Lou and Iver Larson, Craig Lewis, and Kellogg police chief Dave Wuolle.
KELLOGG — For the 20th year in a row, Kellogg has been named as a “Tree City, USA,” by the Arbor Day Foundation.
With last Friday being Arbor Day, Kellogg city superintendent Craig Lewis decided to hold a ceremony at one of the many trees that the Kellogg Tree Committee has planted throughout the city.
This particular tree was planted on the sidewalk next to the former location of the McConnell Hotel, which famously burned down last August.
“The city of Kellogg should really be proud of this achievement,” Lewis said of the 20-year benchmark. “This award is really a positive for our community and we are going to continue to be a part of this program for as long as we can.”
Kellogg is also a recipient of the Growth Award, which highlights innovative programs and projects, as well as increased commitment of resources for urban forestry as well as provides an opportunity to share new ideas and successes across the country.
Kellogg achieved the recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: having a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and having an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community firsthand,” said Arbor Day Foundation president Dan Lambe. “Additionally, recognition brings residents together and creates a sense of community pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”
Trees provide multiple benefits to a community when properly planted and maintained.
They can help 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.
For more information on the Arbor Day Foundation, or to read more about the benefits of being a designated Tree City, USA, please visit www.arborday.org.