Rockford along with Auglaize communities
named tree cities
As printed in the Daily Standard
ROCKFORD —Rockford was recognized as a Tree City USA by the Norhtwest Ohio awards ceremony, co-hosted by the Tree Citizens of Auglaize County, including Cridersville, Minster, New Bremen, St. Marys and Wapakoneta. This is the 19th time that the community has been honored with the nationally recognized award.
The awards were presented to the Tree City USA communities by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, at the Auglaize Couty Fairgrounds.
The title of Tree City USA is bestowed on a community for its ongoing efforts to maintain and improve the quality of life through a comprehensive street tree management program. The program is guided by the Street Tree Commission and the municipal government.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, acts as a guiding hand in helping a community become qualified as a Tree City USA. The Urban Forester recommends a community to the National Arbor Day Foundation for this standing.
To achieve the title and honors, a community must have four standards: a tree ordinance, an active tree commission or department, a comprehensive urban forestry program supported by a minimum of $2 per capita and an annual Arbor Day proclamation and activity.
The state of Ohio currently boasts the greatest number of Tree Cities in the country with a grand total this past year of 249. A total of 58 of northwest Ohio’s communities are Tree Cities and were recognized for their achievements at the awards ceremony.
For more information about the Tree City USA program or National Arbor Day Foundation, go to www.arborday.org.
