Arbor Day Foundation Names North Olmsted Tree City USA®

The City of North Olmsted was named a 2020 Tree City USA® by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.

North Olmsted achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a forestry department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

Mayor Kevin Kennedy congratulated Forestry Foreman Michael Bosau for his work in reclaiming this designation for the City of North Olmsted. “Mike is a tree champion and strong advocate for improving our local tree canopy,” said Kennedy. “He’s been successful in obtaining funding to plant new trees in our community and is ensuring we have a long term plan for maintaining and replacing trees in our neighborhoods, parks and public spaces.”

“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first hand,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The trees being planted and cared for by North Olmsted are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy to a better quality of life. 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 protection from extreme heat and flooding. The Arbor Day Foundation recently launched the Time for Trees initiative to address these issues, with unprecedented goals of planting 100 million trees in forests and communities and inspiring 5 million tree planters by 2022. With Tree City USA recognition, North Olmsted has demonstrated a commitment to effective urban forest management and doing its part to help address these challenges for North Olmsted residents now and in the future.

When asked why this recognition was important, Bosau said, “We invest a lot of time, energy and resources into these efforts. This recognition is for the people of North Olmsted to see that what we’ve contributed to the environment and give our community something to brag about.”

More information on the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.

About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a million-member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information is available at arborday.org.