Date:

April 10, 2009

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Steve Schwab, City Arborist, 441-7035

Mayor Chris Beutler today announced that Lincoln has been named a "Tree City USA" by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the 32nd consecutive year. Governor Dave Heineman will present the award at the Nebraska Community Forestry Conference and Tree City USA Ceremony at 2:15 p.m. April 14 at the Holiday Inn Downtown in Lincoln. Mayor Beutler will welcome conference participants at 9 a.m. that day.

According to Randy Gordon, Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA program coordinator, Lincoln is the only community in the nation to hold all 2008 Tree City USA program category designations at the same time.

• For the 18th consecutive year, Lincoln has claimed the "Tree City USA Growth Award" for demonstrating progress in its community forestry program.
• Lincoln has been recognized as a Sterling Tree City USA since 2000.
• Lincoln has been recognized as a Tree City USA/Tree Line USA utility (Lincoln Electric System) since 2005.
• In 2008, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus was designated a Tree Campus USA by the Foundation for meeting required standards that demonstrate a commitment to managing their campus trees.

"All Lincoln residents can take pride in these designations, which also provide intangible, but very valuable benefits," Gordon said. "Being a Tree City USA improves public image and community pride and generates publicity, national recognition and funding."

"All Nebraskans are proud of being the home of Arbor Day, and Lincoln continues to do a great job in living up to our State's nickname as the 'Tree Planters' State,'" Mayor Beutler said. "We understand that the trees in our community are an important part of our infrastructure and must be properly maintained."

John Rosenow, Chief Executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, praised Lincoln's commitment and the effort to maintain the standard. "Lincoln should continue to strive for excellence in its community forestry program to further sustain its urban forest," Rosenow said. "Greater public awareness and increased citizen involvement will be an important factor in keeping Lincoln an exemplary Tree City USA."

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. It provides direction, technical assistance, public attention and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs. Nationally, there are 3,306 Tree City USA communities, 534 Tree City USA Growth Award communities, 186 Sterling Tree City USA communities, 138 Tree Line USA Utilities and 106 communities that are both a Tree City USA and Tree Line USA utility. More information is available at www.arborday.org.