By Laura Buntrock, DNR Urban Forestry Partnership & Policy Specialist, Laura.Buntrock@wisconsin.gov or 608-294-0253
The online portal for Tree City USA (TCUSA) is now open, with applications due Dec. 31. If you’re new to TCUSA, you can learn more about the program on the Arbor Day Foundation’s (ADF) website or from your DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator. Please note that beginning this year, Arbor ADF is no longer accepting paper applications. You can create an account by clicking “sign up now” on the application portal login page. Within the online portal, you will have access to your historical data. More information is available on ADF’s FAQ page.
The 2025 recognition year, which will be awarded in spring of 2026, marks the 50th anniversary of the TCUSA program! The following are among the original 42 communities in nation that earned the first TCUSA recognition in 1976: Eau Claire, Racine, Sheboygan, Stevens Point and West Allis. We hope all Wisconsin communities will join us this year in continuing our strong commitment to growing and maintaining a healthy tree canopy across the state.
If your community has been a TCUSA for at least one year, you may want to see if it’s eligible for a Growth Award. The Growth Award is presented by ADF to participating TCUSA communities that demonstrate higher levels of tree care and community engagement during the calendar year. Municipalities need to earn at least ten points in any of the following five categories: Building the Team, Measuring Trees & Forests, Planning the Work, Performing the Work and The Community Framework.
Contact the DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator serving your area for more information about TCUSA, Growth Awards and the following ADF recognition programs open to Wisconsin communities and organizations: Tree Line USA, Tree Campus Higher Education, Tree Campus K-12, Tree Campus Healthcare and Tree Cities of the World.