For the 35th consecutive year, the city of College Station receives a Tree City USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation.
A city news release says only 15 other Texas cities share that history.
Qualifications include spending at least $2 dollars per resident on urban forestry and having a community tree ordinance.
Recent city efforts have included planting more than 100 native trees in Bee Creek and Tarrow Parks and at last December’s Christmas in the Park event distributing 1,000 three gallon trees and 1,500 tree seedlings.
News release from the city of College Station:
The Arbor Day Foundation recently named the City of College Station a Tree City USA for the 35th straight year in honor of its commitment to planting, growing, and maintaining trees to benefit our community. Only 15 other Texas cities have at least 35 years with the designation.
Trees help mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality, and boost mental and physical health. When the right trees are planted in the right places, they can also reduce traffic noise, increase property values, and lower energy costs for homeowners.
In December, the College Station Parks and Recreation Department gave away 450 15-gallon Texas native trees as part of the five-year Cooling College Station project, which aims to mitigate the growing risk and complications of urban heat island effects. Additionally, the department distributed 1,000 3-gallon trees through the residential tree program and gave away 1,500 seedlings at the annual Christmas in the Park event.
In 2024, funds awarded through the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Community Forestry Grants program were used to plant over 100 native trees in Bee Creek Park and Tarrow Park. The Tree City USA certification also aligns with College Station’s recent recognition by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Audubon Society as a Bird City Texas.
Since 1976, the Tree City USA program has recognized over 3,500 cities and towns that leverage urban forestry to enhance the livability and sustainability of their local area. Recognized cities must uphold four core standards, including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and participating in an Arbor Day celebration.
The program is offered in partnership with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.