Mason City receives Tree City USA award from Arbor Day Foundation

(ABC 6 News) – Mason City has received a “Tree City USA Growth Award” by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its committment to effective urban forest management.

Mason City was one of 14 Iowa communities to qualify for Tree City USA Growth status.

A Growth Award is bestowed to a community alongside their Tree City USA recognition for demonstrating environmental improvement and a higher level of tree care. The Growth Award recognizes major milestones and annual activities in five categories on a point based system to build sustainable community forestry programs over the long term such as: building a team, measuring trees and forests, planning the work, performing the work, and building the community framework.

"Tree City USA communities can experience the positive effects that an urban tree canopy has year after year," said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. "The trees being planted and cared for by Mason City are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program helps cultivate a sense of stewardship and pride for the trees the community plants and cares for."

For more information on the Tree City USA program, click here.