Brownsburg Achieves Tree City USA Status

BROWNSBURG – The Town of Brownsburg was named a 2015 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.

Brownsburg achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: creating a tree board or department, establishing a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. Brownsburg Parks led the Town’s pursuit of the designation and serves as the tree board.

A street tree inventory and urban forest management plan was completed in 2012 with the assistance of an Indiana Department of Natural Resources grant to identify the current conditions and maintenance needs of the Town’s trees as well as opportunities for new plantings. Parks Department grounds laborer Kris Myers is a certified arborist and works with other Town departments on how we will care for trees under their jurisdiction.

Brownsburg Town Council passed the Tree Care Ordinance in 2015 and at least $2 per capita is budgeted each year for the planting, care and removal of trees within Town limits. The Parks Department observes Arbor Day by going into the schools to educate classes on the importance of trees and provides saplings to the children to plant. Each year the Town Council does a proclamation recognizing the last Friday in April as Arbor Day for our community.

Trees provide multiple benefits to a community when properly planted and maintained. They help to improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs. remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.

“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first hand,” said Dan Lambe, President of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Additionally, recognition brings residents together and creates a sense of community pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”

Brownsburg Town Manager Grant Kleinhenz said, “As the Town continues to deal with growth and problems such as how to maintain our small town charm, the Tree City USA designation and our commitment to building an urban forest will serve our community well.  This designation will demonstrate to others our outward commitment to maintaining and creating green space, protecting and enhancing our natural environment and making our Town beautiful.”

Started in 1976, the Tree City USA program, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year. The Arbor Day Foundation is a million member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.