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Public Comments - Media

Monmouth designated 'Tree City'
Polk County Itemizer-Observer
March 14, 2001

Monmouth residents will celebrate Arbor Day by planting trees in Winegar Park.

Tom Henderson
March 14, 2001

MONMOUTH -- Monmouth residents will celebrate Arbor Day by planting trees in Winegar Park.

The planting will also celebrate Monmouth's new designation as a Tree City USA.

This is the second annual Arbor Day celebration sponsored by the Monmouth Legacy Forest, a volunteer group that formed in 1998 with the planting of trees along Highway 99W.

The celebration will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to the tree planting, there will be a one-mile fun walk and entertainment as well as educational seminars.

Monmouth earned the Tree City USA designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation. "This is a true honor for the community of Monmouth and a tribute to many hard-working volunteers," Mayor Paul Evans said.

To be named a Tree City USA, a community must have:
♦ A tree board or department.
♦ A tree care ordinance.
♦ A community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita.
♦ An annual Arbor Day celebration.

Being a Tree City helps connect the community with a variety of professionals who provide technical advice, literature, films and other assistance.

Also, preference is sometimes given to Tree City communities over other communities for grants for trees or forestry programs.

So far, volunteers for the Monmouth Legacy Forest have planted 149 trees in the community.

More volunteers are welcome. More information is available by calling Rena Hoover at 503-606-9122.