Two communities from the area, Carroll and Jefferson, are to be recognized for their dedication to maintaining and expanding urban forestry. Each year, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Arbor Day Foundation recognize cities, college campuses, and utilities for their commitment to trees during the annual Urban Forestry Awards luncheon on April 3. The event will take place at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. Among the honors presented is the Tree City USA Award, which acknowledges cities that demonstrate excellence in tree care and maintenance. To qualify, a city must have a dedicated tree board or forester, enact a tree ordinance, invest at least $2 per capita annually in community forestry, and maintain an active tree-planting program. This year’s awardees include 70 communities across Iowa. The Tree City USA Growth, Tree City of the World, Tree Campus of the World, and Tree Line USA Awards are also presented during the annual luncheon. A full list of the recipients is included below.
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Tree City USA Award: Adel, Ames, Arnolds Park, Atlantic, Belle Plaine, Bettendorf, Bondurant, Boone, Burlington, Carlisle, Carroll, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Clarinda, Clarksville, Clinton, Clive, Coralville, Council Bluffs, Cresco, Decorah, Denver, Des Moines, DeWitt, Dubuque, Dysart, Fort Dodge, Greene, Grimes, Grundy Center, Hampton, Hiawatha, Hillsboro, Hopkinton, Hudson, Huxley, Indianola, Iowa City, Jefferson, Johnston, Livermore, Luxemburg, Manchester, Maquoketa, Marion, Marquette, Marshalltown, Mason City, Maxwell, Mt Vernon, Muscatine, Nevada, Newton, North Liberty, Odebolt, Oelwein, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Red Oak, Sioux City, Spencer, Story City, Tipton, Urbandale, Van Horne, Washington, Waterloo, Waverly, Webster City, West Des Moines, and Winterset.
Tree City USA Growth Award: Ames, Arnolds Park, Bettendorf, Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Clinton, Coralville, Decorah, Denver, Des Moines, Dysart, Grundy Center, Hampton, Hiawatha, Iowa City, Johnston, Marion, Marquette, Mason City, Oelwein, Polk City, Story City, Waverly, West Des Moines and Winterset.
Tree City of the World: Burlington, Decorah, and Des Moines
Tree Campus USA Award: Clarke University, Divine Word College, Drake University, Hawkeye Community College, Iowa State University, Kirkwood Community College, Simpson College, University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa, and William Penn University.
Tree Line USA Award: Alliant Energy, MidAmerican Energy, and Waverly Utilities.
