Flint Celebrates 18 years as a Tree City USA

Flint taking pride in a greener community

Flint, Michigan – The City of Flint has been named a “Tree City USA” for the 18^th year by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of the City’s effective urban forest management. To receive this honor, the City of Flint and its partner, Genesee Conservation District, met the Tree City USA program’s four requirements of having either 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.

Flint joins more than 3,400 cities nationwide designated under the Tree City USA program, which is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forestry Service and the National Association of State Foresters. “Trees bring shade to our homes and beauty to our neighborhoods, along with numerous economic, social and environmental benefits,” said Matt Harris, Arbor Day Foundation Chief Executive. “Everyone benefits when smart investments in urban forests are made.”

Last month, Genesee Conservation District and the City of Flint installed twelve Tree City USA road signs along City streets to raise awareness and celebrate this distinction. In observance of Arbor Day, the District and its partner, Genusee, supplied and planted more than 300 tree seedlings to increase canopy cover in City parks.

Cleaner air, improved storm water management, energy savings, increased property values, and commercial activity are among the benefits cited by the Arbor Day Foundation as being enjoyed by Tree City USA communities. More information can be found at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA. Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday of April.

Contact:
Angela Warren, Administrator
Genesee Conservation District
[email protected]