Tree City, Tree Campus and Tree Line USA program participants: please review the Arbor Day Foundation’s following expectations regarding the 2021 program recognition standards.

Tree City USA Standard 4 – Proclamation and Arbor Day Observance: We will require a signed Arbor Day proclamation on all 2021 applications. Arbor Day observances and celebrations will not be required, but cities will be highly encouraged to publicize their community’s recognition as a Tree City or celebration of Arbor Day.

Examples of things communities could do to observe while socially distancing: Facebook live tree planting, social media post encouraging citizens to celebrate Arbor Day, newspaper article, radio ad, etc.

*A special announcement to all Tree City USA Communities: Patricia Lindquist, DNR Communications Specialist, will be contacting you by email in late March with sample social media posts that you can share with your communities for Arbor Day. She’ll also include a list of ideas and resources for alternative Arbor Day celebrations. Keep an eye out for her email! You may also contact her directly at patricia.lindquist@wisconsin.gov.

Tree Campus Higher Education Standard 4 – Arbor Day Celebration: We will require that campuses celebrate and observe Arbor Day on 2021 applications. This doesn’t have to be a large tree planting event. Participation can include a social media live video of department members planting a tree, a simple social media post promoting being a Tree Campus and celebrating Arbor Day, a blog post, etc.

Standard 5 – Service Learning Project: This will be required, and students will need to be involved in some capacity for the 2021 applications. We understand that this may look different from previous years with being virtual.

Tree Line USA Requirement 5 – Arbor Day Celebration: We will require that utilities celebrate and observe Arbor Day on 2021 applications. This doesn’t have to be a large tree planting event. Participation can include an employee planting a tree, social media posts or live events, bill inserts with Arbor Day information or more.