February 2, 2022 10:00 a.m.

Covering coastal Douglas County:

Reedsport has regained its status as a Tree City USA, a program of the National Arbor Day Foundation.

A release from the Oregon Department of Forestry said Tree City USA communities show higher levels of tree care and community engagement with their urban forestry programs and activities.

To be named a Tree City USA, a city must meet four minimum requirements by having:

*An established tree board or department

*A tree ordinance

*A community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per resident

*A proclamation and observance of Arbor Day each year

69 Oregon towns and cities are currently qualified as Tree City USA communities

Reedsport’s Deputy City Recorder Courtney Davis said, “For more than two decades the City of Reedsport achieved the standards to be recognized as a Tree City USA. Through personnel changes in our leadership, that goal was lost”. Davis said the staff is thrilled to be called a Tree City USA once again.

The Oregon Department of Forestry administers the program in Oregon, on behalf of the Arbor Day Foundation. More information about the program is available: https://www.arborday.org/programs/treecityusa/growth-award/