The City of Columbia has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry. This is the 31st year Columbia has received this national recognition.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. The program provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of towns and cities that more than 135 million Americans call home.

The City of Columbia has met all four of the standards to become a Tree City USA community. Tree City USA communities must have a tree board or department, a tree–care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

“We commend Columbia’s elected officials, volunteers and its citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest.” stated John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees provide numerous environmental, economical, and health benefits to millions of people each day, and we applaud communities that make planting and caring for trees a top priority.”

For more information about Tree City USA, visit www.arborday.org/Tree CityUSA .