A “Tree City USA” flag hangs in front of the Fayetteville Administration Building Friday morning.
Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer
Fayetteville was honored for a 17th straight year as a “Tree City USA,” city officials announced this week.
The program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
The recognition honors cities that have a tree board department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
Megan Dale, who was welcomed as the city’s new urban forester late last year, said being consistently recognized as a Tree City USA is a testament to Fayetteville’s dedication to protecting the environment and striving to provide a better quality of life.
According to the Arbor Day Foundation’s website, 40 Arkansas cities participate in the program, only five of which have participated longer than Fayetteville.
Top participating Tree City USA cities in Arkansas*
Eureka Springs – 29 years
Rogers – 26 years
Mountain View – 24 years
Little Rock AFB – 18 years
North Little Rock – 18 years
Fayetteville – 16 years
Marvell – 14 years
Bentonville – 13 years
Etowah – 11 years
Hot Springs – 11 years
* As of July 2011
