The Arbor Day Foundation named Carnation a 2025 Tree City USA in honor of the City’s commitment to planting, growing, and maintaining trees to benefit the community.
The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit organization that inspires people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. Its network of more than a million supporters and partners has helped plant more than 500 million trees across more than 60 countries since 1972. For over 50 years, the Tree City USA program has recognized cities and towns that leverage urban forestry to enhance the livability and sustainability of their local area.
“We all have a role to play in shaping our future, and tree champions like the City of Carnation are leading the way,” said Michelle Saulnier, Vice President of Programs at the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees are critical infrastructure, building resiliency and fostering good health in our nation’s cities. We’re proud Carnation is among the Arbor Day Foundation’s growing network of communities dedicated to creating positive impact through trees.”
Trees are proven to help mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality, and boost mental and physical health in cities and neighborhoods. When the right trees are planted in the right places, they can also reduce traffic noise, increase property values, and lower homeowners’ energy costs.
“Thank you to the Carnation City Council for making green infrastructure a priority,” says Carnation’s City Manager Rhonda Ender. “The City also thanks a dedicated group of community members that have championed tree protection and the increase of urban tree canopy.”
To earn Tree City USA recognition, a city must uphold four core standards, including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and participating in an Arbor Day celebration.
The City is partnering with the Carnation Arbor Day Planning Committee to host an Arbor Day celebration on April 26th in the heart of downtown.
The Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program partners with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. To learn more about the program, visit arborday.org.
[Information provided by the City of Carnation]
