Texas Border Business
LINCOLN, Nebraska – McAllen received a 2022 Tree City USA Growth Award from the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management. A Growth Award is bestowed to a community alongside their Tree City USA recognition for demonstrating environmental improvement and a higher level of tree care. The award recognizes major milestones and annual activities in five categories: building a team, measuring trees and forests, planning the work, performing the work, and building the community framework.
“The City of McAllen is committed to providing a good quality of life for all of our residents and trees help do that for every living creature in our community,” said McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos. “Besides developing a sense of appreciation and stewardship for our environment and enjoying the many benefits tress provide, we help ensure habitats for the many animals that also call McAllen home. Native trees and a natural environment are as important to the prosperity and development of our community as streets, sidewalks, infrastructure, parks, police and fire protection and water and utility service.”
“Tree City USA communities can experience the positive effects of a thriving urban canopy year after year,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The trees being planted and cared for by McAllen are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program helps cultivate a sense of stewardship and pride for the trees the community plants and cares for.”
Trees are a vital part of every community. They help reduce energy consumption, cool temperatures, clean the air and water, raise property values and provide a habitat for wildlife. More information on the program is available at www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.
About the Arbor Day Foundation
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters and valued partners. Since 1972, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival. As one of the world’s largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees. More information is available at www.arborday.org.
