April 6, 2018 – Midland has been named a 2017 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.
Midland achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a 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.
“We’re honored to receive this recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation, as the health and prosperity of our community’s trees are a top priority for our Forestry Department,” says City of Midland Director of Public Services Karen Murphy. “Trees provide many aesthetic and environmental benefits to residents, so we are committed to doing all we can to protect and preserve Midland’s trees for years to come.”
In 2017, the City’s Forestry Department planted 237 trees in street right-of-ways, pruned approximately 1,000 trees, removed 587 sick or dying trees from City right-of-ways and parks, and treated 2,300 ash trees against the Emerald Ash Borer. On Friday, April 27, the City and Dow Garden will continue its partnership in celebration of Arbor Day by visiting local elementary schools to talk about the importance of trees and providing a “take-home tree” for students to plant at home.
Midland has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA for 22 years.
More information on the program is available at www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.
About the Arbor Day Foundation:
The Arbor Day Foundation is a million member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information is available at arborday.org.