Ponca City earns Tree City USA award

Cann Memorial Gardens, 14th & Grand Ave., Ponca City

The Arbor Day Foundation named Ponca City a 2013 Tree City USA.

The award is in honor of Ponca City’s commitment to effective urban forest management.

Ponca City met four requirements, having a tree board or department, having a tree-care ordinance, having an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and having an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

Arbor Day Foundation sponsors The Tree City USA program, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

“Everybody benefits when elected officials, volunteers and committed citizens in communities like Ponca City make smart investments in urban forests,” said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees bring shade to our homes and beauty to our neighborhoods, along with numerous economic, social and environmental benefits.”

Tree City USA communities have cleaner air, improves storm water management, energy savings and increased property values and commercial activities.

More information on the program is available here .

The Arbor Day Foundation is a million member non-profit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information is available here .