April 25, 2018 – Two new Michigan cities – Grandville and North Muskegon – were certified with the Tree City USA designation in 2017, joining 113 other Michigan communities, five campuses and two utilities to receive “Tree City,” “Tree Campus” or ‘Tree Line USA’ designation for 2017.
Since the program began in 1976, Michigan communities have steadily increased participation. Michigan now ranks eighth nationally in number of certified communities. Tree City USA promotes proper tree care and management in urban areas and calls attention to the economic, health and aesthetic values trees offer.
“Healthy trees provide many important benefits to our communities and the environment,” said Kevin Sayers, DNR Urban Forestry coordinator. “The Tree City USA designation is a highly regarded achievement that promotes the efforts communities have taken in adopting policies and practices that help maintain these important public natural assets.”
The Tree Line USA and Tree Campus USA programs extend the certification opportunities and encourage Michigan companies and college campuses to offer tree-care education programs and sponsor tree-planting events as part of their commitment to maintaining healthy urban forests. This year, the DNR recertified the Lansing Board of Water and Light and ITC Holdings through the Tree Line USA program, while the University of Michigan, Western Michigan University, Calvin College, Washtenaw Community College and Michigan State University all earned the Tree Campus USA designation.
Learn more about the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree USA programs and find a list of Michigan honorees at WWW.ARBORDAY.ORG/PROGRAMS.
For questions on the DNR’s Urban and Community Forestry program or more on the Tree USA eligibility and certification, contact KEVIN SAYERS at 517-284-5898 or visit MICHIGAN.GOV/UCF.