April 26, 2019
Contact: Rob Hines (please contact for photos from today’s event)
260-427-6028
Public Information Officer
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Mayor Henry Announces Fort Wayne’s 29th Year of Tree City USA Recognition
Fort Wayne, Ind. – Mayor Tom Henry and Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Director Steve McDaniel were joined today by students from Whitney Young Early Childhood Center, Trees Indiana and Superintendent of Urban Forestry Derek Veit to celebrate Arbor Day.
Mayor Henry read an Arbor Day proclamation and announced that Fort Wayne has been named a "Tree City USA" for the 29th year in a row. This designation--awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters--was earned for the City of Fort Wayne’s tree canopy stewardship and continued commitment to being a green city.
“We’re fortunate to live in a community that’s committed to being good stewards of our tree canopy and the environment,” said Mayor Henry. “It’s important to recognize and celebrate Arbor Day as we come together to do our part to make a lasting and meaningful difference.”
Fort Wayne also earned their fourteenth Growth Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation for a higher standard of forestry management of the City’s 65,000 public trees. The Growth Award highlights innovative programs and projects as well as increased commitment of resources for urban forestry.
Trees Indiana and the Fort Wayne Fruit Growers Association assisted in preparing today’s celebration which included a ceremonial tree planting and a musical presentation from Whitney Young students. In his remarks, McDaniel also thanked the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the School Children's Flower and Vegetable Association, Friends of the Parks and Ash Brokerage for recently delivering over 3,000 Sycamore trees to Fort Wayne 3rd graders.
More information about Tree City USA can be found at www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.
The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit, environmental, and education organization of nearly one million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at www.arborday.org.
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