Portage Named Tree City USA for 32nd Consecutive Year
Portage was named a 2022 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to effective urban forest management. Portage achieved Tree City USA recognition – its 32nd consecutive award – by meeting the program's four requirements: maintaining a tree board or department, having a tree care ordinance, dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
The City of Portage planted 70 trees in 2022 and pruned an estimated 575 trees. During the summer staff in the Department of Public Works, Parks Maintenance Division trim trees in Portage parks for ground clearance and dead limbs. During the fall the staff inspects street trees across the city and prunes them as necessary. “Portage is proud of its more than three decades as a Tree City USA,” said City Manager Pat McGinnis. “We recognize the benefits of a healthy urban forest and tree canopy and will continue our commitment to protect existing trees and expand the canopy where we can.”
In addition to the continuing Tree City USA designation, the City of Portage was awarded the Tree City USA Growth Award for the fourth consecutive year. The Growth Award is presented by the Arbor Day Foundation to participating Tree City USA communities that demonstrate higher levels of tree care and community engagement during the calendar year. Examples of these efforts include tree maintenance reporting and tree risk mitigation processes; tree debris recycling and public installation of recycled wood products; land stewardship and open space acquisition, among others. Also, in support of the Growth Award, the city’s Youth Advisory Committee hosted the annual Green-A-Thon where 150 free tree saplings were given away, and the City Council adopted a proclamation of celebration of Arbor Day.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. "Tree City USA communities see the positive effects of an urban forest firsthand," said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. "The trees being planted and cared for by Portage are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy to a better quality of life."
About the Arbor Day Foundation
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters, and valued partners. Since 1972, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities, and forests throughout the world. Its vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival.
As one of the world's largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners, and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing, and celebrating trees. More information is available at arborday.org.