WAUSA – The Arbor Day Foundation has named Wausa a 2023 Tree City USA to honor its commitment to effective urban forest management.
The Wausa community achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: - Maintaining a tree board or department.
- Having a tree-care ordinance. - Dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita.
- Hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
Wausa’s 2024 Arbor Day Celebration is scheduled for April 26, starting with a K-5 proclamation at Wausa Public Schools at 10 a.m., followed by a tree-planting event at the village’s Gladstone Park.
Arbor Day originated in Nebraska and is an official state holiday.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
“Tree City USA communities see the positive effects of an urban forest firsthand,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees.
“The trees being planted and cared for by Wausa are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life,” he said. “Additionally, participation in this program brings residents together and creates a sense of civic pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”
If ever there was a time for trees, now is that time.
Communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, energy use, and extreme heat and flooding.
Tree disease is also an issue. Wausa is doing its part to address these challenges for residents both now and in the future.
More information on the Tree City USA program may be found online at arborday.org/TreeCity-USA.
