New Richmond was recognized as a Tree City USA on April 17, 2015 at the Southwest Ohio awards ceremony hosted by the City of Wyoming and their Urban Forestry Beautification Commission.

This is the 12th time our community has been honored with this nationally recognized award.

The awards were presented to the Tree City USA communities by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Forestry at the Wyoming Civic Center.

The title of “Tree City USA” was bestowed upon our community for its ongoing efforts to maintain and improve the quality of life through a comprehensive street tree management program.

The program is guided by the Shade Tree Commission and the municipal government.

The ODNR, Division of Forestry acts as a guiding hand in helping a community to become qualified as a Tree City USA. The Urban Forester recommends a community to the Arbor Day Foundation for this standing. In order to achieve the title and the honors, at community must meet four standards: a Tree Ordinance; an active Tree Commission or forestry department; a comprehensive urban forestry program supported by a minimum of two dollars per capita; and an annual Arbor Day proclamation and public observance.

The State of Ohio currently boasts the greatest number of Tree Cities in the country with a grand total this past year of 242.

This marks Ohio’s 34th year as the top Tree City USA state, according to the ODNRs’ Division of Forestry. 41 of Southwest Ohio’s communities are Tree Cities.

All were recognized for their achievements at the awards ceremony.

For additional information about the Tree City USA program or the Arbor Day Foundation visit www.arborday.org.