Tree City USA® Growth Awards

One state’s efforts to enhance its urban forest

The Tree City USA Growth Award is additional recognition for Tree Cities demonstrating increased levels of tree care and community engagement. They are committed to not only becoming Tree Cities but going further — building a deep connection between their communities and the urban forest.

This award recognizes major milestones and annual activities in five categories that combine to build sustainable community forestry programs over the long term. To be eligible, Tree City USA communities must earn a total of 10 points from a list of nearly 90 qualifying activities and milestones, each with a value of 1-10 points.

And Tree Cities throughout Illinois are stepping up for this Growth Award.

Committed to the Community Forests of Illinois

Cities and towns crisscrossing Illinois are earning Tree City USA recognition. Nearly 200 communities were recognized last year, with more than 60% of the state’s population living in a Tree City. But the dedication to trees doesn’t stop there. Approximately half of these Tree Cities also earned a Growth Award.

Mike Brunk, urban forestry administrator for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, has been a proponent of the Tree City USA program throughout his career in urban forestry. He sees the Growth Awards as an opportunity to build resiliency in urban forestry statewide. “I appreciate all the communities that engage — small and large communities, those that are advanced and well-situated in urban forestry and those that are just beginning to advocate for tree care and preservation,” he said. “I work with mayors, community arborists and foresters, department directors, some field staff. Those are the leaders that I work with, the players that help me enhance the vitality of communities and community forestry across the state.”

From Mike’s perspective, the Growth Awards are shining a spotlight on the innovation happening all around — innovation he can share with communities across the state in his monthly e-newsletter. This innovation is also being shared among the urban forestry community. He mentioned that “many of the municipal arborists get together, especially around the Chicago and northern Illinois region, and they have monthly meetings. They share ordinances, they share tree removal and tree pruning contracts, and there’s a lot of that camaraderie going on.”

Outstanding Examples of Growth

With nearly 100 Growth Award recipients in Illinois, it’s easy to see that urban forestry has been prioritized in many communities statewide. The Village of Glenview is one of those communities.

This suburb of Chicago is home to nearly 47,000 people — and plenty of trees. In fact, the village has received Tree City USA recognition for 37 years and the Growth Award for 13 years. “Trees are important in northeastern Illinois,” said Robyn Flakne, natural resources manager for the community. “They soften the effects of the thoroughly urbanized environment and provide residents with a respite and reconnection to nature – in a very accessible way. While doing so, they are providing aesthetic and economic benefits to the entire community.”

The people of Glenview have dedicated themselves to caring for those trees, qualifying for a Growth Award through a variety of activities including:

• Maintaining an Environment and Natural Resources Commission focused on improving the village’s natural areas.

• Updating the public tree species planting list.

• Reducing waste by providing wood chips to residents and public planting projects.

• Improving bike and pedestrian trails.

• Partnering with Scouts troops to plant native plants and trees on private property.

• Providing educational opportunities throughout the year.

Another Illinois community actively involved in the Tree City USA program is Springfield. Known as the home of Abraham Lincoln, this city of more than 113,000 people also boasts a thriving urban forest. A total of 28 years of Tree City status and six Growth Awards reinforce that fact.

According to Mike, one of their standout accomplishments over the years included the development of an Urban Forestry Commission to help maintain a focus on Springfield’s trees. This past year, the community’s path to a Growth Award included:

• Grant funding for tree inventory work.

• Recycling of all leaf and woody debris from municipal tree care.

• A new member added to their Urban Forestry Commission.

• More trees planted than removed throughout the city.

Moving the Needle for Urban Forestry

Illinois is one example of the power that comes with a focus on community trees and a readiness to share ideas. As more communities across the country begin to deepen their involvement in the Tree City USA program, more people will have access to the trees they need to thrive.

You can learn more about the Tree City USA Growth Award and the list of qualifying activities at arborday.org/growthaward