(February 5, 2020) — Mayor Winnecke invites the community to celebrate the City of Evansville's designation as a Tree City USA community for 20 consecutive years.

Mayor Winnecke will plant 20 trees in the City owned portion of the State Hospital Park grounds during a special ceremony to be held on the City's 208th birthday, March 27, 2020, at 1 p.m. The public is invited to attend and participate.

"Our urban tree canopy is one of Evansville's most important assets," said Mayor Winnecke. "It helps clean the air we breathe and water we drink, prevents flooding, provides shade and beauty for our properties, lowers overall energy use and production and is a source of joy and spirituality. We are proud of our long-time designation as a Tree City USA community and will continue working with residents and community partners to protect and grow our canopy.”

City Arborist Shawn Dickerson and the Department of Urban Forestry will plant 80 additional trees in and around the Vann Park area leading up to ceremony.

"This is an excellent opportunity to honor former City leaders who supported Tree City USA and the Department of Urban Forestry," said Dickerson.

Trees will be provided by the City's Tree Nursery, of which there are currently 30 species.

The Tree City USA program, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of towns and cities that more than 135 million Americans call home.

More: 

Department of Urban Forestry

Tree City USA - Arbor Day Foundation