By Sadie Hunter
For the 27th consecutive year, the City of Noblesville has been named a 2016 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation.
The national honor recognizes the city’s commitment to effective urban forest management.
“Being a Tree City USA member this long shows the importance that the city and its citizens have for our environment and its sustainability year after year,” Mayor John Ditslear said. “I also want to thank the Noblesville Tree Board for its overall care of city street trees and the educational outlet and projects it provides our residents.”
The city received Tree City USA recognition by having the program’s four requirements: A tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
Noblesville also received a Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating environmental improvement and higher level of tree care.
“Trees provide us with so much more than just shade and beauty,” Noblesville Urban Forester Vince Baker said. “Proper planting and caring for trees helps improve our surroundings, reduce pollution, lower energy costs and improves the appearance of our community.”
The city held a tulip poplar planting (Indiana’s state tree) at Promise Road Elementary School, educating second-grade students on Arbor Day and the importance of trees. Each student received a sapling, and the school was given the city’s Tree City USA flag April 28.
The Noblesville Tree Board is responsible for the development of a master plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, removal and disposition of street trees in the City of Noblesville. The board is comprised of the city urban forestor, a common council member liaison and five members of the community. The board coordinates efforts with related projects of such groups as the park board, plan commission and the street department.
