Friday, April 24 is Arbor Day and several area communities have once again been recognized by the Urban Forestry Awards on behalf of the Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Five area communities have received a Tree City USA designation, and for the 30th consecutive year, Carroll is again one of those. To qualify, the cities must have either a city forester or an active city tree board, have a tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita annually for a community forestry program and have a tree planting and maintenance plan. Other Tree City USA communities include Jefferson, Odebolt, Denison and Westside. Glidden has received the Tree City USA Growth Award for providing education and public relations, partnerships, planning and management and tree planting and maintenance in their community. And finally, two utility companies that service the region have been tapped for the Tree Line USA Award. Alliant Energy and MidAmerican Energy have met at least the five minimum requirements including: tree care, annual worker training, tree planting and public education, a tree-based energy conservation program and an annual Arbor Day celebration.
